The countries of central and eastern Europe, that have become members of the Council of Europe, have infrastructure deficits that cannot be overcome with public funds. This study shows that public -private partnerships (PPP) can be a suitable tool for carrying our spatial development measures. They are not however as substitute for efficient administration at local and regional levels. The purpose of this study is to underpin the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Spatial Development of the European Continent, which were adopted at the 12th session of the European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning of the Council of Europe member States (CEMAT), held in Hanover in September 2000.