According to the local and regional leaders, the new model of European governance must also involve citizens, businesses, civil society and any other relevant stakeholders in order to reach these common goals. They also stresses the need of the full participation of local and regional authorities to achieve the Europe 2020 strategy objectives.

Local and regional governments and their leaders call for their active involvement in all EU policies with a territorial dimension via the governance in partnership approach. This statement has been made bearing in mind the current situation in Europe, characterised according to the European Regional Associations leaders, by economic and social instability as well as a lack of confidence vis-à-vis national and European governing bodies.

The President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, Wolfgang Schuster highlighted that Europe needs a new model of multi-level governance based on a true partnership between all spheres of government. The President of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in order to clarify the responsibilities of the different levels of governance, the Commission’s 'code of conduct', expected early next year, should highlight the establishment of a territorial pact at the national level, which should bring together all actors on the ground.

On the other hand, Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions remarks that cohesion policy is the visible hand of European integration. Commission adopted a legislative package for cohesion policy for the period from 2014 until 2020. Ms Sabban says that it cannot be reduced to financial trade-offs, as it is the best answer that European territories can bring to the crisis, national self-interests and temptations of isolationism. In this context, applying strict conditions for structural fund distribution can, according to the AER President, obviously not be done at any price.