The outlying areas welcomed the working method based on a permanent dialogue with the regions and local authorities, a method which was confirmed by the Commission in its communication of December 2003 and also evidenced by the call to local authority representatives, under the title ‘ A thousand debates for Europe ’ on the subject of the Constitution, which you launched, Mr Prodi, together with Mr Cox, Parliament’ s former president, and the President of the Committee of the Regions.
Kuluneina vuosina komissio on tarttunut eurooppalaisesta hallintotavasta annetun valkoisen kirjansa myötä EU: n demokratiavajeongelmaan ja tuonut kansalaisläheisen demokratian käsitteen uudelleen keskusteluun.