WRITTEN QUESTION E-1177/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Council. EU enlargement and regions.
Date: 2000-04-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Committee of the Regions, administration of the Institutions, division of powers, enlargement of the Union

13.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 46 E/139

(2001/C 46 E/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1177/00

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(13 April 2000)

Subject: EU enlargement and regions

We have reached an historic and crucial moment in the history not only of the Union but of the continent
of Europe as a whole. Leaving aside Turkey, the other twelve applicant countries have a population of
more than 100 thousand, which would mean a 27 % increase in the population of the EU, whilst the
European Parliament would probably have little more than 700 seats, i.e. only 11 % more than the current
number.

Since it is not proposed to change the role and powers of the European institutions, does the Council not
consider that the representation of the regions will be seriously undermined? Does the Council not
envisage any other way of ensuring that regions such as the Basque Country (3 million inhabitants) or the
Catalan-speaking regions (12 million inhabitants) can be given proportional representation equivalent to
that of future Member States such as Malta or Cyprus? Does the Council not envisage a thorough reform
of the Committee of the Regions in order to ensure that it actually represents the regions?

Reply

(10 July 2000)

The issues raised by the Honourable parliamentarian relating to the composition of the Committee of the
regions and the allocation of seats within that Committee are currently being considered by the
Intergovernmental Conference on institutional reform. The Council is of course aware of the suggestions
which have been put forward on these matters by both the European Parliament and the Commission as
contributions to the Conference(cid:146)s work, neither of which addresses the issue of the breakdown of seats for
the Committee of the Regions within each Member State. The Council would recall that the present Treaty
fixes the number of members from each Member State; it is up to each Member State to determine the
basis on which these seats are allocated internally.

Given that the Council has no formal role in the Conference itself, which brings together the governments
of the 15 Member States, it would be entirely inappropriate for the Council to speculate on the possible
outcome of the Conference(cid:146)s work. The European Parliament, on the other hand, is closely associated and
involved in the work of the Conference. Meetings of the IGC preparatory group are attended by two
observers from the European Parliament, and each session of the Conference at ministerial level is preceded
by an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, assisted by two EP representatives.

(2001/C 46 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1178/00

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 April 2000)

Subject: EU enlargement and the regions

We have reached a crucial historical moment, not only for the EU but for the entire continent of Europe.
The twelve applicant states (other than Turkey) have a total population of over 100 000 m. This means
that the total population of the EU will rise by 27 %, although, as we know, the number of MEPs is not
expected to rise to more than 700, that is, only 11 % more than the present number.

Given that no proposals exist to modify the role and competences of the EU institutions, does the
Commission not consider that the representation of the regions is likely to be seriously undermined? Has
the Commission not provided for new measures to ensure that regions such as the Basque Country (with 3
million inhabitants) or the Catalan-speaking regions (totalling 12 million inhabitants) can enjoy their due
representation as compared with prospective Member States such as Malta or Cyprus? Does the
Commission have no plans for a wide-ranging reform of the Committee of the Regions, with a view to
its becoming a truly representative organ of the regions?