2.10.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 250/23 COUNCIL DECISION of 22 September 2003 appointing a member of the Committee of the Regions (2003/686/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the German Government, Whereas: (1)  On 22 January 2002 the Council adopted Decision 2002/60/EC appointing the members and alter- nate members of the Committee of the Regions (). (2)  The seat of a member of the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the resignation of Mr Jiirgen GNAUCK, of which the Council was notified on 8 July 2003, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Sole Article Mr Hans KAISER, Minister for Federal and European Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office and Commis- sioner for the Prime Minister's Office of Thuringia to the Federation, is hereby appointed a member of the Committee of the Regions in place of Mr Jirgen GNAUCK for the remainder of his term of office, which ends on 25 January 2006. Done at Brussels, 22 September 2003. For the Council The President F. FRATTINI () OJ L 24, 26.1.2002, p. 38.