URBAN Intergroup meeting in Strasbourg – September 10th
On Thursday 10th of September the URBAN Intergroup members and partners met at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The main aim of this meeting was to have a follow-up discussion after the plenary vote on the INI report “Urban dimensions of EU policies”. Members and partners debated about the next steps towards the EU Urban Agenda. Ms Kerstin Westphal, EP rapporteur, thanked all the shadow rapporteurs who worked on this dossier and briefly presented its key elements. She underlined that the main goal of EP’s report is to put the Urban Agenda into the European policies.
URBAN Intergroup members believe that thanks to this report cities will be earlier involved in policy making and that the European Commission will better coordinate urban dimension’s issues in its different services. However, during the discussion some droughts have been expressed concerning the political lead of the EU Urban Agenda inside the European Commission. Jan Olbrycht reminded that the URBAN Intergroup is still waiting for the official reply from the EC to the Written Question concerning the coordination within the Commission on the urban dimension. In conclusion of the meeting, members agreed that the Intergroup will send a letter to the Luxembourg and the Dutch Presidency asking for clarification about the future actions which will be taken in order to develop the EU Urban Agenda.
During the next meeting of the Intergroup, on October 29th in Strasbourg, DG REGIO will present State of play of the EU Urban Agenda. Probably on November 26th the Representative of the Dutch Presidency will present the next Presidency’s priorities.
15th URBAN newsletter
We are pleased to present you 15th URBAN Newsletter. In this issue, you will find a message from European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu, information about “World Cities” Preparatory Action, comments on 2nd CiTIES Forum, as well as summaries of our last meetings.
The Newsletter is currently available in English and Polish.
