**Policy Summary:**
Council Decision (EU) 2016/1816, adopted on October 7, 2016, appoints Mr. Klaas Kielstra, Gedeputeerde in de provincie Fryslân, as a member of the Committee of the Regions. This appointment fills a vacancy created by the end of the term of office of Mr. J.A. John Jorritsma, who replaced Mr. R.E. Ralph De Vries on September 18, 2015, according to Council Decision (EU) 2015/1573. Mr. Kielstra will serve for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until January 25, 2020. The decision is based on Article 305 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and a proposal from the Dutch Government. The Council previously appointed members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions via Decisions (EU) 2015/116, (EU) 2015/190, and (EU) 2015/994 for the period of January 26, 2015, to January 25, 2020. The decision entered into force on October 7, 2016.
Key Entities Referenced
Council Decision EU 2016/1816: Council Decision EU 2016/1816 of 7 October 2016 appointing a member proposed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands of the Committee of the Regions.
Committee of the Regions: An advisory body of the European Union composed of representatives of regional and local authorities.
Kingdom of the Netherlands: The member state of the European Union proposing a member to the Committee of the Regions.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: A primary treaty of the European Union that outlines the organization and operation of the EU.
Dutch Government: The government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which proposed a member for appointment.
Brussels: The city where the Council Decision was adopted.
Klaas KIELSTRA: The individual appointed as a member of the Committee of the Regions.
Fryslân: Province in Netherlands where Klaas Kielstra is Gedeputeerde.
L 278/44 EN Official Journal of the European Union 14.10.2016
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2016/1816
of 7 October 2016
appointing a member, proposed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands of the Committee of the
Regions
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 305 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal of the Dutch Government,
Whereas:
(1) On 26 January 2015, 5 February 2015 and 23 June 2015, the Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2015/116 (1),
(EU) 2015/190 (2) and (EU) 2015/994 (3) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of
the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020. On 18 September 2015, by Council
Decision (EU) 2015/1573 (4), Mr R.E. (Ralph) DE VRIES was replaced by Mr J.A. (John) JORRITSMA as a member.
(2) A member's seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of
Mr J.A. (John) JORRITSMA,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The following is hereby appointed as a member of the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term
of office, which runs until 25 January 2020:
— Mr K. (Klaas) KIELSTRA, Gedeputeerde in de provincie Fryslân.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 7 October 2016.
For the Council
The President
M. LAJČÁK
(1) Council Decision (EU) 2015/116 of 26 January 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions
for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 20, 27.1.2015, p. 42).
(2) Council Decision (EU) 2015/190 of 5 February 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions
for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 31, 7.2.2015, p. 25).
(3) Council Decision (EU) 2015/994 of 23 June 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for
the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 159, 25.6.2015, p. 70).
(4) Council Decision (EU) 2015/1573 of 18 September 2015 appointing four Dutch members and five Dutch alternate members of the
Committee of the Regions (OJ L 245, 22.9.2015, p. 10).