"There are a number of huge challenges ahead of us and bridging the gap between the EU and its citizens is the most important one at this moment in time. Subsidiarity should be the guiding principle and the role of local and regional governments be strengthened in the European decision making",  he said during his introductory speech.

 

" If the EU is to tackle the democratic deficit and fight the widespread disillusion amongst its citizens, it has to improve the way it communicates, the way it legislates, It has to become more transparent and more effective in areas where EU intervention brings an added value whilst refraining from imposing unnecessary rules in matters where national and regional parliaments legislate" Karim Van Overmeire added.

 

The EA Group 1st Vice President also promoted the recently Aalst declaration on "Promoting cultural and Linguistic Heritage in the EU".

 

"We feel that the national and regional identities are not given the recognition they deserve and we believe the European Union needs to put them at the core of its policies and programmes. Assuring the respect and acceptance of cultural and linguistic heritages is one of the basic principles underlying the process of European integration which is not about levelling out differences or creating uniform identities but fostering greater cooperation and understanding among the peoples of Europe".