” “"This report turns a new leaf in the cooperation between the European Union and the Council of Europe": Giovanni Di Stasi, president of the Congress of Local Powers of the CoE, representing the regional institutions of the continent in Strasbourg, praises the work done by Jean-Claude Junker, prime minister of Luxembourg, who presented at the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE (Apce) today his report on the cooperation among the 25 EU member states and the Council of Europe (46 member states). What Di Stasi likes most "is the emphasis on the positive role of the local boards in strengthening democracy in Europe". Juncker presented to Apce the content of the document composed of 35 pages with reviews and ideas about the future of the two continental organisations. Juncker stated: "The Council of Europe and the EU are both necessary, different and unique organisations"; the former one, he added, "is not the anteroom of the European Union". Terry Davis, secretary general of the Council of Europe, explained that "Juncker’s proposals are clear, realistic and useful".” “
