but regions remain restricted by the loss of the general competence clause and the principle that no government can exert oversight over other governments where it lacks clear jurisdiction both france and austria have established regular conferences that provide such structure but at different scales and for different topics france s territorial conferences for public action focus on dialogue between regions and local authorities and are open to a range of thematic areas whereas the austrian conference on spatial planning assembles representatives from all levels of government and is specifically targeted to address spatial planning issues they were established mandated as part of the maptam law and are intended to strengthen dialogue between local authorities including epci and the region and to coordinate responsibilities