Brussels, 28/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - The president of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) Michel Delebarre has welcomed the results of the European summit on the future treaty and the progress this will allow for European local and regional authorities. Mr Delebarre declared that the IGC had preserved the essential of the institutional acquis for these authorities contained in the draft constitutional treaty. He expressed his appreciation of German Chancellor Angele Merkel and declared that it was important that the awareness she had displayed, “is maintained” during the preparatory phase of the European Council. He also said that it was important that this awareness continued, “under the Portuguese presidency of the EU”, adding, “Such awareness can only be useful from the point of view of member states ratifying the future treaty. In any case, we will remain vigilant and ready to ensure that our gains are also found in the fial text of the treaty”.
Speaking in a personal capacity, Delebarre asserted that he was particularly relieved that the across-the-board social clause had been maintained, which included objectives such as promoting a high level of employment, guaranteeing appropriate social welfare and fighting social exclusion. (gb)