27/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - The general assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) will meet in Malmö, Sweden on 22-24 April to discuss the impact of the economic and financial crisis on local and regional authorities. CEMR Secretary General Jeremy Smith said: “Local and regional authorities are the engine that drives economic recovery. They can set up and implement measures much quicker than national or European authorities by devising local economic recovery packages that have a direct impact. This shows that the current crisis demands that the EU and its member states cooperate very closely with our towns and regions”. For further information, go to http://www.cemr.org (G.B./transl.rt)