Brussels, 10/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - The president of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Peter Straub, welcomed in a press release on Tuesday the pledge by Chancellor Schüssel to revive negotiations on the EU Constitutional Treaty. He also backed calls by Deputy Chancellor Hubert Gorbach for more powers to be devolved to the “Europe of the Regions” (see other article and EUROPE 9105). “The CoR shares the Austrian Presidency's vision”, Mr Straub said, recalling that Mr Schüssel had already expressed his conviction to him about making progress on the Treaty. With regard to Mr Gorbach's request to grant greater importance to the Europe of the Regions, Mr Straub commented: “Local and regional authorities are the closest to the citizens and implement 70% of EU laws. That means they have a special interest and responsibility in helping to regain their citizens' trust in Europe”. Mr Straub also gave his assurance that the Committee is willing to play its part in making the EU more relevant in people's lives, particularly through the “Plan D for Decentralisation” campaign.
Chancellor Schüssel invited the Committee of the Regions and the representatives of local and regional authorities to take part in the forum on subsidiarity at St Pölten, Austria, on 18-19 April.