The Council must defend the interests of the European Union in the same way that it defends the interests of each of the States, and therefore strike an appropriate and fair balance between the both of them.

For this purpose, the Council shall, jointly with the European Parliament, exercise legislative and budgetary functions. It shall also carry out policy-making and coordination functions on the basis established by the Treaties.

On 9 December 2004, the Conference for EU-Related Affairs (CARUE) adopted the agreement that extended the participation of the autonomous communities to 4 formations of the Council, which have subsequently expanded to the current.  The CARUE adopted the agreement granting autonomous communities the right to permanently participate in 5 formations of the Council of the European Union, specifically the Council of Ministers of:

•  Agriculture and fisheries
•  Environment
• Education, youth, culture and sports
• Competitiveness (to work on issues linked to consumption and gambling)

The system of autonomous region representation is implemented by including at least one member in the Spanish delegation who is a minister or councillor in a regional government, and who will represent all of the autonomous communities in matters affecting their powers.

Furthermore, the representative and coordinator of the Autonomous Communities also participates as an observer in the Council's working groups. These groups prepare the meetings of the different formations of the Council of the European Union.

In the CARCE meeting held on 12 December 2006, a Good Practice Guide to regulate regional participation was discussed.

Among others, Murcia Region has participated in the following formations of the Council of the European Union: Environment, Health, Education and culture, youth and sports.

More info at:

• www.consilium.europa.eu/en