"We represent the first levels of democracy, the places in which neighbourhood solidarity is exercised" and, "as such, we are ready to commit ourselves to establishing a new agreement of confidence between the Union, its government levels and its citizens. The local and regional bodies must now play their part in the history of Europe". Michel Delebarre, president of the Committee of the Regions, highlights, during the official celebrations for the fiftieth anniversary of the integration, "the extraordinary revival of the local bodies on the European scene". Delebarre explains that, when signing the EEC Treaties on 25th March 1957, "only the national governments were represented", and "independence and decentralisation were not the major concerns for the founding fathers". "Yet, their project, based on shared sovereignty and solidarity, gave life to a multi-level governance system that in 1994 led to the establishment of the CoR". With Europe at a deadlock, Delebarre mentions that "the acknowledgment of local independence" "strengthens the exercise of neighbourhood democracy and the response to the citizens’ request to directly take part in the political process" towards a united Europe.
