Doc. 8119

18 May 1998

Draft European Charter of Regional Self-Government of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE)

Reply to Recommendation 1349 (1997)

from the Committee of Ministers

adopted on 12 May 1998 at the 631^st meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies

      The Committee of Ministers carefully studied Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1349 (1997) on the draft European Charter of Regional Self-Government of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).

      The Committee of Ministers wishes to inform the Parliamentary Assembly that, after thorough examination of the question of the draft Charter of Regional Self-Government, it has come to the conclusion that a legal instrument on regional self-government may be drawn up, but only in those areas which are acceptable to all States. To this end, the Steering Committee on Local and Regional Authorities (CDLR) was given ad hoc terms of reference to identify those elements on which a sufficient agreement of all member States may be reached and which will point to the type of legal instrument on regional self-government which may prove possible and desirable.