Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) is European Union's (EU) assembly of local and regional representatives that provides sub-national authorities with a direct voice within the EU's institutional framework. Established in 1994, the CoR was set up to address two main issues. Firstly, about three quarters of EU legislation is implemented at local or regional level, so it made sense for local and regional representatives to have a say in the development of new EU laws. Secondly, there were concerns that there was a widening gap between the public and the process of European integration; involving the elected level of government closest to the citizens was one way of closing the gap.

Principles
There are three main principles at the heart of the Committee's work: Subsidiarity This principle, written into the Treaties at the same time as the creation of the CoR, means that decisions within the European Union should be taken at the closest practical level to the citizen. The European Union, therefore, should not take on tasks which are better suited to national, regional or local administrations. Proximity All levels of government should aim to be 'close to the citizens', in particular by organising their work in a transparent fashion, so people know who is in charge of what and how to make their views heard. Partnership Sound European governance means European, national, regional and local government working together all four are indispensable and should be involved throughout the decision making process.

Scope
The Treaties oblige the European Commission and Council to consult the Committee of the Regions whenever new proposals are made in areas that have repercussions at regional or local level. The Treaty on European Union set out 5 such areas economic and social cohesion, trans-European infrastructure networks, health, education and culture. The Amsterdam Treaty added another five areas to the list employment policy, social policy, the environment, vocational training and transport which now covers much of the scope of the EU's activity. Outside these areas, the Commission, Council and European Parliament have the option to consult the CoR on issues if they see important regional or local implications to a proposal. The CoR can also draw up an opinion on its own initiative, which enables it to put issues on the EU agenda. On certain issues it works in partnership with the Economic and Social Committee (EESC or EcoSoC). The CoR has gained the right (privileged status) to approach the European Court of Justice now that Treaty of Lisbon (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union TFEU) has entered into force following ratification by all EU Member States (Article 8, Protocol (No. 2) on the Application of the Principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality

Composition
CoR has 344 members the number from each EU country roughly reflecting the size of its population. The numbers per country are as follows:

State

Members

State

Members

State

Members

Germany

24

Czech Republic

12

Finland

United Kingdom

24

Belgium

12

Ireland

France

24

Hungary

12

Lithuania

Italy

24

Portugal

12

Latvia

Spain

21

Sweden

12

Slovenia

Poland

21

Bulgaria

12

Estonia

Romania

15

Austria

12

Cyprus

Netherlands

12

Slovakia

Luxembourg

Greece

12

Denmark

Malta

TOTAL

344

History
1992: Maastricht Treaty EU leaders decide to set up the Committee of the Regions (CoR) as a consultative assembly which will provide regions and cities with a voice in the EU decision-making process and act as a direct link between Brussels and the citizens. The Treaty makes it mandatory for the European Commission and the Council of Ministers to consult the CoR on key areas of regional concern. CoR members are to be nominated by the governments of Member States and will serve for four years. In March 1994 the CoR holds its first plenary session in Brussels. European Peoples Party 1995: EU enlargement The CoRs membership increases from 189 to 222, following the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden. 1997: Amsterdam Treaty Extends the CoRs remit to cover around two thirds of the EUs legislative proposals. The Treaty also makes it possible for the Committee to be consulted by the European Parliament.

2001: Nice Treaty Underlines the democratic legitimacy of the CoR by requiring that its members are elected or politically accountable to an elected regional or local assembly. Caps the number of members at 350. 200203: Convention on the Future of the EU CoR members take part in the convention responsible for drafting an EU constitution. The text expressly recognises the role and powers of local and regional government; it also gives the CoR the right to go to the Court of Justice of the European Communities to challenge EU laws which do not comply with the principle of subsidiarity. May 2004: EU enlargement Number of CoR members increases from 222 to 317, following the accession of 10 new Member States. February 2006: new term of office The CoR starts a new four-year term. Its political priorities include boosting the role of local and regional authorities in line with the Lisbon Strategy for Jobs and Growth, strengthening cohesion and solidarity, and spearheading the Communicating Europe Going local campaign to bring the EU closer to its citizens. January 2007: EU enlargement With the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, the number of CoR members rises from 317 to 344. December 2007: Lisbon Treaty The Lisbon Treaty confirms the CoRs right to appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Communities to safeguard its prerogatives and the subsidiarity principle a right already recognised by the Convention on the Future of the EU. This new entitlement will strengthen the CoRs political role, by enabling it to act more effectively on the EU stage for the benefit of regional and local authorities. The Lisbon Treaty extends the term of office of CoR members from four to five years.

Internal structure
President Elected for a two-and-a-half year term, the president guides the Committees work, chairs plenary sessions and is the CoRs official representative. Mercedes Bresso, the former President of Piedmont from the centre-left, was elected president in February 2010. First vice-president The first vice-president is also elected by the plenary assembly for two-and-a-half years, to represent the president in the latters absence.Ramn Luis Valcrcel Siso (ES/PPE), President of the Spanish region of Murcia, will hold this office until 2012 when he will, according to an agreement between the CoR's PES and the EPP Groups, take over the presidency from Mercedes Bresso.