Relationship with the UK

The European Committee of the Regions established in 2020 a Contact Group for relations with representatives of UK local government and devolved administrations to ensure that political dialogue with these representatives continues after the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

European Committee of the Regions
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What is the aim?

  • to act as a forum for continuing dialogue and political partnership between the EU and UK local and regional authorities, and to exchange know-how, in particular on cross-border issues;
  • to provide local and regional authorities with the opportunity to discuss issues arising from the UK's withdrawal from the EU and explore new opportunities;
  • to give representatives of UK local and regional authorities a means of discussing European Union legislation affecting them even after the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.

Key priorities for the Contact Group are:

  • Following the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
  • Raising awareness of local and regional concerns
  • Supporting cross border and territorial cooperation
  • Exploring EU-UK cooperation in relevant international fora
  • Debating cooperation on key topics

How does it operate?

  • The mandate of the CoR-UK Contact Group comes from the Bureau of the CoR. Following its establishment in 2020, the mandate of the Contact Group was renewed for the 2025-2030 term of office in April 2025.
  • The CoR-UK Contact Group has a mandate to hold up to two meetings a year
  • The work programme for the first half of the 2025-2030 CoR term of office was adopted in May 2025.  

Who are the members of the Contact Group?

  • The European Committee of the Regions delegation comprises 14 members, selected to reflect political, geographical and gender balance. Full members may be replaced by alternate members.
  • The CoR-UK Contact Group is chaired by a member of the CoR, currently Karl Vanlouwe (NL/EA), Member of the Flemish Parliament. List of participating CoR members
  • The UK representatives at meetings of the CoR-UK Contact Group are selected according to agreements between local government bodies and the UK's devolved parliaments, assemblies and governments.

UK local-government bodies involved in the CoR-UK Contact Group: 

  • Local Government Association (LGA)
  • Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
  • Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
  • Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA)

UK devolved parliaments, assemblies and governments involved in the CoR-UK Contact Group:

  • Scottish Parliament and government
  • Welsh Parliament and government
  • Northern Ireland Assembly and government
  • London Assembly and the Mayor of London
  • Gibraltar Parliament

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