EU Constitutional Treaty

Presidium Debate in Berlin - January 2007

On February 22nd in Berlin, AER members of the Presidium debated with politicians, MEPs, and academic experts the future of the EU-Constitution, in order to agree on a common position on it. As a result two position papers were adopted as well as an action plan.

AER Berlin Declaration

One is the Berlin Declaration of the Assembly of European Regions - 'Strong Regions need a Strong Europe!' In this declaration European regional leaders set out the steps EU leaders must take in order to face the challenges of the 21st century.

_{(The EU Berlin Declaration can be found on the official homepage of the  German EU Presidency.)}

AER Position on the future of the Constitutional Treaty

The other document which came out of the discussion in Berlin is the AER position on the future of the Constitutional Treaty.

AER Action Plan on the Constitutional Treaty

In order to ensure that progress is made on implementing the new framework for regional involvement in European Union matters, the AER Presidium in Berlin has also adopted an Action Plan on the Constitutional Treaty. 

Letter writing campaign: Merkel says yes to Regions and Towns

In her response letter to the Presidents of six regional and local associations German Chancellor Angela Merkel underlines the importance of the regional and local level in European governance, and welcomes "the provisions of the Constitutional Treaty that aim to strengthen the involvement of the regional and local levels in Europe." "The explicit recognition of regional and local self-government as well as the right of the Committee of the Regions to refer subsidiarity issues to the Court of Justice contributes to bring Europe closer to the citizens", said the letter.

AER position on the Role of the Regions

The AER position on the Role of the Regions in regard to the Future of the Constitutional Treaty underlines the importance that the Treaty places upon the role of the regions in Europe and the principle of subsidairity. This document explains also the AER worries on the difficulties of the process of ratification. Recognising the fears expressed by the citizens, the AER undertakes to develop the role of its member regions in connecting the citizens with the work of the European Institutions. 

Statement on the ratification process on the European Constitutional Treaty in the EU member states, November 2005

The AER has been extremely active in the development of the Constitutional Treaty for Europe and has been successful in ensuring that the needs of the regions have, to a large extent, been incorporated in the final text. As a result, the final text allows important achievements for the regions. All these achievements are set out in the AER's position statement on the Constitution.

Press Release on Referenda, June 2005

First reaction after the no ratification of the Constitutional Treaty by France and Netherlands. AER Bureau (St. Gallen, 1st June 2005)

AER Referenda Statement

 
The AER supports the ratification process and is convinced of the importance of the role of the regions in this context.

The AER amendment proposals and the Constitutional outcome

This document is based upon the proposals for amendment of the draft Constitutional Treaty, as these were put forward by the four AER Committees, in relation to the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe.