The Assembly,
Being of the opinion that the prosperity of Europe is largely dependent upon the harmonious and balanced development of its component areas;
Considering that the drift to the towns and the decline of certain areas in Europe is in part a result of increasing and undue political and administrative centralisation, which not only attracts and concentrates activity around major townships but also deprives local authorities of revenue and of powers that are essential if local and rural economy arc to be stimulated ;
Being convinced that, without the co-operation of local communities and the restoration to them of the constitutional and financial resources necessary to their autonomy, there can be no lasting success for the policy of economic decentralisation and development of under-privileged areas,
Instructs the Special Committee on Municipal and Regional Affairs to study the question of " measures to be taken in member countries to ensure the free and proper development of their various regions " and report to it on this subject.