This resulted in the creation by the Maastricht Treaty of the European Committee of the Regions, and provision for member states to be represented in the Council of the EU by ministers from their regional governments.
Det førte til, at man med Maastricht-traktaten oprettede Det Europæiske Regionsudvalg og åbnede for, at medlemsstaterne kunne lade sig repræsentere i Rådet af ministre fra deres regionalregeringer.