“To overcome the frontiers”. That is the slogan and the principle that accompanied the recent signing of the second “Charter of the Regions of Europe” at Arnhem, in Holland. The document was subscribed by the Conference of the Legislative Assemblies of the Regions of Europe (CLARE) and the Committee of the Regions of the EU, representing all the regional and local authorities in the EU. Legislative and administrative decentralization, the increased participation of the Regions in the EU decision-making process, the reinforcement of institutional accords between the local authorities of various states and the better safeguard and diffusion of the principles of liberty, democracy and respect for human rights, represent the mainstays of the role that the European Regions aspire to play in the framework of an enlarged EU that must take on board “the approach from below in the interest of its citizens”. The Charter also dedicates ample coverage to relations with the “new neighbours” in the area of the Mediterranean and in the countries of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. For further information, consult the website
