This single initiative will create the largest global coalition of cities committed to climate leadership, building on the commitments of more than 7,100 cities from 119 countries and six continents, representing more than 600 million inhabitants, over 8% of the world’s population.

The enactment of these principles also forms a decisive element for tackling the challenges of multicultural societies, reinforcing the sense of belonging to the community and trust in institutions, countering social exclusion and making cities safer, more open and tolerant.

The 2007 Green Paper ‘Towards a new culture in urban mobility’ then identified broad areas for potential complementary action at EU level to promote greener and safer cities and smarter and accessible urban transport.

Fifthly, and finally, we need safer towns and cities.

F. whereas the success of integration will strengthen the Union's economy in the face of global competition; whereas the Union, while cognizant of the need to prevent brain drain, will attract the workers and entrepreneurs its economies need, as well as the scientists and students who are the bedrock of its ability to innovate; whereas EU cities will be safer and communities stronger where a focused, consistent and adequately-funded integration policy applies; whereas xenophobic tendencies will be diminished and respect for the fundamental rights of all fortified; whereas Europe's position in the world will be enhanced,

The European citizens, who, every day, live through the drama of all forms of petty and serious crime – from international drug trafficking to the sexual exploitation of children, from the trafficking and exploitation of human beings to illegal immigration – who live in towns which are unsafe or even dangerous, would like to be able to express their opinions and to lay claim, democratically, through their representatives at the European Parliament, to their rights and priorities of security and the fight against crime.