Everything about The Committee Of The Regions totally explained
The
Committee of the Regions (CoR) is a
body of the European Union (EU) established in 1994. It represents the sub-national regions of the EU in the EU legislative process, but only in a consultative manner similar to the
Economic and Social Committee. Two of its vicepresidents are
Vicente Álvarez Areces (President of
Asturias) and
Marcelino Iglesias (President of
Aragón), both of the
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (
PSOE)
Aim
The CoR is the political assembly that provides local and regional authorities with a voice at the heart of the European Union. It aims at increasing the participation of
European regions in community life. The CoR, whose seat is in
Brussels, is composed of 344 representatives of regional and local governments.
Cohesion with the regions of the EU was enshrined in the
Single European Act in 1986 and in 1992 the
Delors Commission proposed the establishment of the CoR. It was included in the
Maastricht Treaty and established when it came into force in 1994.
The body was set up to address two main issues. Firstly, about three quarters of
EU legislation is implemented at local or regional level, so it makes sense for local and regional representatives to have a say in the development of new EU laws. Secondly, there were concerns that the public was being left behind as the EU steamed ahead. Involving the elected level of government closest to the citizens was one way of closing the gap.
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 Maastricht Treaty 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.
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 |
|
24 |
|
12 |
|
9 |
|
24 |
|
12 |
|
9 |
|
24 |
|
12 |
|
9 |
|
24 |
|
12 |
|
7 |
|
21 |
|
12 |
|
7 |
|
21 |
|
12 |
|
7 |
|
15 |
|
12 |
|
6 |
|
12 |
|
9 |
|
6 |
|
12 |
|
9 |
|
5 |
| TOTAL |
344 |
Further Information
Get more info on 'Committee Of The Regions'.
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