This book contains an opinion (in four languages) focusing on the White Paper on European Governance, of July 2001. It has been delivered to the European Commission and has been considered to be one of the most profiled contributions in the consultation process launched  by the European Commission. This EU  consultation process focused on the Commission's White paper,  however, it could not disregard the background to and commencement of work by the Convention convened by the Laeken European Council (December 2001 – March 2002), nor the references in the Laeken Declaration on the Future of Europe to Regions holding legislative powers under the Member States' constitutions. Accordingly, this Opinion deals not only with the proposals in the White Paper for improvements to European governance not involving amendments to the founding Treaties, but also reviews and assesses the aspects requiring changes to the Treaties.

The Opinion has been drawn up in the light of the experience of the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano/Südtirol and the outlook for their autonomy; however, the comments and proposals are for the most part general or could be generally applied, at least in respect of the European regions with legislative powers. Above all, the Opinion aims to strike a constructive balance between the demand for a more decisive, dynamic role for the regions in active participation in the European integration process and, closely linked to that, awareness that acquiring and strengthening that role contributes and could contribute even more to the widespread, grassroots legitimacy of the European Union as citizens appreciate fully the Community's contribution to enhancing the institutions of autonomy.