The main objective of the European conference organised in Dresden was to discuss experiences carried out by local and regional authorities with regional development projects and their implementation. Recommendation Rec(2002)1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member states on the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Spatial Development of the European Continent acted as a basic document in this framework. The political importance of transnational co-operation at local and regional level in Europe for economic and social integration was highlighted. A Forum Cemat-CLRAE was also organised with the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, on the theme of the setting up of partnerships for sustainable regional/spatial development.