摘要: The development of the European Union (EU) has been closely associated with and influenced by regional scale evolution perspectives on various political, economic, social issues. Europe Regions suggests that regions are a vital locus economic competitiveness, democratic governance, cultural identity. During heyday regionalism in 1980s 1990s, official policy discourse fed expectations would be given greater voice more active role national Community decision-making processes. EU indeed developed sophisticated framework includes as partners. However, many regionalist scenarios envisaged for post-Maastricht have not materialized. Only few can regarded powerful actors within creation new institutions representing interests rather modest. Despite this, remains leitmotiv governance EU.