Balearics seek special status

Government spokesman Antoni Garcias yesterday called for a special status for regions within the European Union as the Committee of Regions does not correspond to initial expectations. He was speaking at the third conference of presidents of regions with legislative power in Florence, Italy. Garcías backed the final document of the conference, presented by the leader of Tuscany, which also called for an explicit recognition of regions, namely those with legislative power, in all parts of the European treaty. Giving these regions a voice in the council of ministers, depending on their responsibilities, is another of the claims. The proposals agreed in the conference will be presented at the convention on the future of Europe set up to prepare the tasks of the next inter-governmental conference. The European Commission recently approved a project which the Balearics presented with other regions to debate the role of regions with legislative powers. This will be debated in Genoa on February 21 and in Palma on April 12.