Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 300(3) and Article 305 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (EU) 2019/852 of 21 May 2019 determining the composition of the Committee of the Regions^f1,

Having regard to the proposals made by the Bulgarian, German, Cypriot, Luxembourg and Maltese Governments,

Whereas:

Article 300(3) of the Treaty provides that the Committee of the Regions is to consist of representatives of regional and local bodies who either hold a regional or local authority electoral mandate or are politically accountable to an elected assembly.

Article 305 of the Treaty provides for the members of the Committee of the Regions and an equal number of alternate members to be appointed by the Council for a term of five years in accordance with the proposals made by each Member State.

As the term of office of the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions expired on 25 January 2020, new members and alternate members should be appointed.

On 10 December 2019, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2019/2157^f2, in accordance with the proposals made by the Member States. That Decision appointed, for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025, the members and alternate members proposed by the Czech, Danish, Estonian, Cypriot, Latvian, Luxembourg, Dutch, Austrian, Romanian, Slovenian, Slovak and Swedish Governments. Decision (EU) 2019/2157 also appointed for the same period three members proposed by the Belgian Government, 21 members and 20 alternate members proposed by the German Government, eight members and eight alternate members proposed by the Irish Government, 16 members and 16 alternate members proposed by the Spanish Government, 10 members and 14 alternate members proposed by the Italian Government, four members and four alternate members proposed by the Maltese Government and eight members and eight alternate members proposed by the Finnish Government.

On 20 January 2020, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2020/102^f3, in accordance with the proposals made by the Member States. That Decision appointed, for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025, the members and alternate members proposed by the Greek, French, Croatian, Lithuanian, Hungarian and Portuguese Governments, as well as four members and four alternate members proposed by the Belgian Government, one member proposed by the Bulgarian Government, one member and one alternate member proposed by the Irish Government, one member and one alternate member proposed by the Spanish Government, 14 members and 10 alternate members proposed by the Italian Government and 21 members and 20 alternate members proposed by the Polish Government.

On 3 February 2020, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2020/144^f4, in accordance with the proposals made by the Member States. That Decision appointed, for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025, four members and four alternate members proposed by the Spanish Government, as well as one member and one alternate member proposed by the Finnish Government.

On 26 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2020/511^f5, in accordance with the proposals made by the Member States. That Decision appointed, for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025, five members and eight alternate members proposed by the Belgian Government, one alternate member proposed by the German Government and one member proposed by the Maltese Government.

On 8 June 2020, following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union which became legally effective on 1 February 2020, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2020/766^f6, in accordance with Decision (EU) 2019/852 and with the proposals made by the Member States. That Decision appointed, for the period from 1 February 2020 to 25 January 2025, one additional member and one additional alternate member proposed by the Estonian Government, one additional member and one additional alternate member proposed by the Cypriot Government, as well as one additional member and one additional alternate member proposed by the Luxembourg Government.

By Decision (EU) 2019/2157, Mr Christakis MELETIES had been appointed as an alternate member for Cyprus. By Decision (EU) 2020/766, Mr Christakis MELETIES was appointed as a member for Cyprus. Following the adoption of Decision (EU) 2020/766, an alternate member’s seat for the Committee of the Regions therefore became vacant as of 1 February 2020.

By Decision (EU) 2019/2157, Mr Gusty GRAAS had been appointed as an alternate member for Luxembourg. By Decision (EU) 2020/766, Mr Gusty GRAAS was appointed as a member for Luxembourg. Following the adoption of Decision (EU) 2020/766, an alternate member’s seat for the Committee of the Regions therefore became vacant as of 1 February 2020.

The Bulgarian, German and Maltese Governments have proposed their candidates for their members’ and alternate members’ seats. Those members and alternate members should be appointed for the period from 26 January 2020 to 25 January 2025. As regards their appointment, this Decision should therefore apply retroactively from 26 January 2020. The Cypriot and the Luxembourg Governments have proposed their candidates for their alternate members’ seats. Those alternate members should be appointed for the period from 1 February 2020 to 25 January 2025. As regards their appointment, this Decision should therefore apply retroactively from 1 February 2020,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: