The Council of Danube Cities and Regions respects the values of democracy and human rights, and believes in the form of regionalism which pleads that the apportionment of powers between the State and the regions shall be determined in the national constitution or in legislation in accordance with the principles of political decentralization and subsidiarity. Under these principles, functions should be exercised at the level as close to the citizen as possible.
The key principles which will be mainstreamed throughout the entire structure and activities of the Council are: the respect for democracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance, the principles of market economy, social and environmental sustainable development, the principles of ethnic and gender equality as well as the principle of regional balance.
- Cities and Regions, pillars of democracy in Europe
The cities and regions are factors of democracy in Europe. They help to maintain peace and political stability on the continent. They guarantee the protection of historical, political, social and cultural diversity in Europe. They represent an intrinsic part of European integration and globalization. The enhancement of regional democracy is the source of a more human governance, closer to the citizens and implying greater autonomy, responsibility and efficiency.
- Cities and Regions, actors in the construction of Europe
The regions represent the level which is close to the citizens, which can meet their real expectations. They are also territories and communities with which the people can identify and in which they can be heard. Therefore the principle of subsidiarity and its application must be more clearly defined in the European Treaty. The cities and regions must be further included in European decision-making and the redaction of national and European policies which they would then be responsible for enacting on their own territories.
- Interregional cooperation, the motor behind European integration
The exchange of ideas, know-how and experience between the regions encourages mutual understanding and brings people closer together. Despite the diversity of cities and regions in Europe, shared initiatives (joint positions, cooperation projects…) allow particularities to be bypassed and shared values to become a source of mobilization.