Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions is an advisory body providing representation of regional and local administrations in the work of the EU. The committee was established by the Maastricht Treaty and has been in force since March 1994.

• Functions. He advises the Council and the Commission and gives opinions on all issues affecting the interests of the regions.
• Composition. It consists of 222 members representing regional and local authorities, but completely independent in the performance of their duties. The number of members from each country is the same as in the Economic and Social Committee. Nominations are approved by the Council by unanimous decision on the proposals of Member States for a period of 4 years. The Committee shall elect from among its members a Chairperson and other officers for a period of 2 years. After the admission of new Member States to the EU, the size of the Committee will not exceed 350 people.
• Venue of the sessions. Plenary sessions are held in Brussels 5 times a year.

The EU’s organizational structure also includes the European Central Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Ombudsman Institute, which deals with citizens ’complaints regarding the poor management of an EU institution or body, as well as 15 specialized agencies and bodies (for example, the European Monitoring Center for Combating Racism and xenophobia, Europol, Eurojust).

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