Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions was established by the Maastricht Treaty 1992 as a consultative body with the prime task of monitoring the application of the principle of subsidiarity across the European Union.

With few exceptions, the Committee’s 222 members are directly-elected regional or local politicians – among them minister-presidents and regional presidents, burgomasters, mayors and city and county councillors – who serve for four-year terms. Through their opinions, these members bring their knowledge of daily life in Europe’s cities and regions and their concrete suggestions on improving EU policies to the other EU institutions in Brussels.

The Treaty on European Union specifically requires the Council to consult the Committee of the Regions in the fields of trans-European networks, public health, education, youth, culture and economic and social cohesion. The Committee may also take the initiative to give its opinion in other areas that affect the cities and regions.

For further information, visit the Committee of the Regions Web site.