Commission to strengthen relationship with the Committee of the Regions
On an initiative from Mrs. Wulf-Mathies, Commissioner responsible for regional policies, the Commission has decided to strengthen its relationship with the Committee of the Regions. The Commission's efforts to improve collaboration with the Committee will follow three lines of action: - The Commission will identify in its annual work programme the dossiers to be submitted to the Committee for its opinion; - The Commission will provide the Committee with all necessary assistance for the smooth running of its services and will encourage the participation of Commission members and services at the Committee's plenary sessions and meetings; - The Commission will take account of the Committee's opinions and positions in its proposals for legislation and in the implementation of Community policies. In accordance with the Treaty on European Union, the Commission is obliged to consult the Committee on the following issues: - Economic and social cohesion; - Trans-European networks; - Education; - Health; - Culture. In light of the three new lines of action outlined above, the Commission will also consult the Committee on dossiers when: - The subject matter concerns regulatory or executive powers to be attributed to decentralized communities; - The proposed regulation may directly affect the functioning of regional or local administrations; - The Community action may have a differing economic impact on each region. As a result of this initiative, the Commission has selected some 40 dossiers for submission to the Committee for its opinion. These concern a variety of subjects, including the environment, transport, tourism, and innovation.