Brussels, 23/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - Commenting on the results of the European Summit of 16-17 June, the president of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) Peter Straub declared that “without agreed financial perspectives, the European Union will be lacking a real perspective for its regional policy”. He explained that any delays in planning regional development programmes would have “a negative impact on competitiveness…We also have a moral obligation towards the new Member States, who have a legitimate expectation of solidarity and cooperation from the European Union”. In connection with the period of reflection advised by the Summit after the French and Dutch no-vote, to generate a debate with citizens, Straub stated that, “Reconnecting Europe to its citizens is our priority…local and regional politicians who are in contact with citizens…must play a central role”.