The Committee of The Regions and the Regional Policy. A case study: Romania

• Author: Tescasiu, B. - Fruntes, C.
• Position: Dept. of Marketing, Tourism and International Relations, Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 179-186

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol. 6 (55) •No. 2 - 2013

Series V: Economic Sciences

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND

THE REGIONAL POLICY.

A CASE STUDY: ROMANIA

B. TESCA訓IU

1 C. FRUNTE訓1

Abstract: The European Union is an integr ation structur e focused on

reducing dispar ities between countries/regions. The fulfilment of this objective

needs a specific objective policy (includ ed in the Regiona l Policy) and an

institutional system adapted to these needs. One of the most importa nt

institutions involved in this policy is the Committee of Regions (CoR). Its

representa tives, coming from regional and local level, are connected to the

main Union’s institution, creating the premises to adapt the decisional system

to the subsidia rity principle. This article d escribes the main r ole of CoR. and

it focuses on its implication in Romania’s administrative reform.

Key words: regional dispar ities, economic and social cohesion, Committee

of Regions, NUTS.

1. Introduction

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) is a

European institution created by The Treaty

of Maastricht (1992). It represents the local

and regional point of view in the decisional

system of the European Union.

The local authorities influenced the

decisions at the over-national level in

different domains, such as: employment,

environment, education. It has to be

specified that its role has constantly

increased, its field of action has grown over

time, showing the importance of the local

level opinion in the decisional system.

CoR's main role – to issue the so-called

“opinions” on the Commission proposals –

makes it one of the most important elements

in connecting the over-national level of

European decisions to the regional and local

level.

1 Dept. of Marketing, Tourism and International Relations, Transilvania University of Braşov.

2. Objectives

The role of each institution in the

decisional system of the European Union

has been established since the beginning of

its activity but, as the Union evolved, the

system showed that some improvements are

necessary.

The Committee of Regions is not an

institution created from the very beginning

of the Community. It was created only by

the Maastricht Treaty, along with the

establishment of the Single Market

Programme (1992).

This article focuses on determining the

main attributes and role of CoR and it tries

to make a study on the regional specific

aspects in which the CoR is actively

involved.