Europe’s role for the future

A debate between Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission and mayors of the capital cities of the EU Member States and acceding countries was organised in Brussels by the Committee of the Regions last Thursday. During this debate, which lasted for nearly two hours, Romano Prodi and the mayors exchanged views on Europe’s role for the future and the role of capital cities in Europe at a time when the European Union is facing two of its largest challenges ever; that of enlargement and of institutional change. The debate also dealt with issues of EU governance, the application of the principle of subsidiarity in different levels of the Union’s institutions, foreign policy and the importance of the regions within the European Union. President Prodi outlined the importance of establishing political and economic stability in the Mediterranean region through political dialogue, peaceful exchanges, and economic development through cross-border relationships, which could be achieved with the participation all the Member States of the enlarged European Union.