THE European Union was urged yesterday to make local and regional authorities full partners in its strategy to introduce Economic and Monetary Union rather than just part of the target audience.

The plea was made in Brussels to the EU's Committee of the Regions by North Ayrshire councillor Irene Oldfather, who had been commissioned to prepare an opinion for the committee on the introduction of the euro.

Councillor Oldfather argued that an information strategy would be vital for the successful launch of the boldest project for the European Union since the Treaty of Rome in 1957, a project that would have enormous implications for local and regional authorities even in those countries such as the United Kingdom that were not involved in the first wave between 1999 and 2002.

For example, local and regional government would have EU grants and loans paid in euros, while the introduction of the new currency would have enormous implications over a wide range of activity, including financial systems, trading standards and consumer protection, legal services and contract management, personnel services, education and economic development.

Councillor Oldfather told the committee: ''Local and regional authorities should play a major role in the information strategy because of their day-to-day contact with the general public. However, from the commission's report, it appears that the commission views local and regional government as part of the target audience rather than a full partner in the strategy.

''I regret that we are not identified as a partner. Indeed, in this I would say the commission is inconsistent with the EU approach to subsidiarity.''

She added: ''Our role is important, because we are providers of education information to the public, disbursers of Euro-monies, advisers in economic development and, collectively, we are one of the largest employers in Europe.''