ECR Group President Rob Jonkman attended a special 'EU Summit' in Maastricht on 9 December 2016, precisely 25 years ago from the commencement of discussions with EU leaders that led to the formation of the Maastricht Treaty.

Taking place at the MECC Exhibition and Congress Centre in the Dutch city, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, former European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Committee of the Regions President Markku Markkula were some of the special guests for the summit, a prelude to celebrations that will take place next year to celebrate 25 years since the signing of the Treaty.

Speaking from Maastricht, Alderman Rob Jonkman, Member of the Executive Council of Opsterland, said: "the 25 years anniversary of Maastricht Treaty that led to the Committee of the Regions being set-up is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we can achieve a more bottom-up localist EU. In the last 25 years, Europe has achieved a lot by working together and it is time to adapt and change so that we can continue to achieve positive things in the future."

"The real challenge for the EU is how it intends to better represent citizens on the ground, many of whom feel too far away from the goings on of the European Union. This is why our Group calls for a more bottom-up, localised approach to decision-making that ensures citizens voices are at the heart of the EU's future policy proposals."

Since the Treaty's signing, the EU has widened into new policy areas and enlarged to its current 28 Member-State configuration, as well as form its own currency – the Euro. The Treaty also helped formulate the European Committee of the Regions, established in 1994, which outlined that the Committee would have an 'advisory role' serving the interests of citizens in the EU (Article 13/4).

Reflecting at the event, former European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said: "The Treaty of Maastricht was a milestone in the history of the European Union."

Despite praise, recent events such as Brexit, the Italian referendum and the rise of populism across Europe have increased calls for the EU to reform. With this in mind, Alderman Jonkman concluded: "The input of our citizens should be brought to the EU by local and regional politicians and should be taken seriously in Brussels. Only if we are prepared to listen and give the citizens a voice, the EU becomes more real for them."