In 1997, the Congress adopted a "European charter of regional self-government" intended to do for the regions what the charter of local self-government did for municipalities. This draft was rejected twice, in 2002 and 2005, by the European Ministers responsible for local and regional government. The Chamber of  Regions since 2006, has been working on a new text, entitled "European Charter of Regional Democracy", which, after finalisation and adoption by the Congress in May 2008, could be submitted to the European Ministers responsible for local and regional government. In addition to these changes, the new draft takes account of all the developments in Europe over the last few years, particularly the irreversible assertion of the "regional phenomenon" in European policies. (More...)

Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe Rapporteur in the Charter of Régional Democracy: «Europe’s regions need a reference framework – and that’s what the Charter of Regional Democracy will give them»
Interview

António PAIVA, President of the Commission for Constitutional Affairs of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, Mayor of Tomar ( Portugal )  

Lluis Maria DE PUIG ( Spain , SOC), Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly 

Peter Paul GANTZER , Vice-President of the Landtag of Bavière, Vice-President of the Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE)  

Herwig VAN STAA ( Austria , EPP/CD), President of the Land of Tirol , Representative of the Conference of European regions with legislative power (REGLEG), Vice-President of the Congress  

Bojan KOSTRES ( Republic of Serbia ), President of the Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina