Founding of European Committee of the Regions

The European Committee of the Regions is an advisory body of the European Union made up of locally and regionally elected representatives from all member states, such as mayors and regional presidents. It was created by the Maastricht Treaty, which recognised the importance of regions and cities in the Union, and it began its work in the mid-1990s. The Committee must be consulted on proposals in areas affecting local and regional authorities, including transport, health, education, employment and the environment, and it can give opinions on its own initiative. Its opinions are not binding, but it can bring a case to the Court of Justice if its rights are infringed. It meets in Brussels.

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