Komitet Regionów Unii Europejskiej. Instytucjonalizacja międzynarodowej aktywności samorządów

Abstract

European integration has contributed to the growth of international co-operation between different levels of government. One policy priority for the EU is to increase the participation of local and regional policy makers in decision-making processes. A considerable number of authors have indicated that greater self-reliance of the smallest communities improves the quality of policies at international level. The international institutionalization of governments in the EU is visible, for instance, in the creation of an advisory body – the Committee of the Regions. National delegates’ activity focuses primarily on reviewing the documents of the Council, the Commission and the EU Parliament on the regions. The first part of the paper discusses the definitions. Subsequently, the history and structure of the Committee of the Regions, with particular emphasis on the Polish delegation are presented. In conclusion, the authors demonstrate the capacity of the KR as the body which highlights the institutionalization of the international activity of local governments.