Dublin, 01/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The mayors of around 20 European capital cities met European Commissioner for Regional Development Johannes Hahn in Brussels on Thursday 28 February. This first initiative reflects a new and stronger dialogue between Europe and its cities. Europe's capital cities are seeking to assert themselves as the powerhouse of ideas for finding solutions to the continent's problems. After the conference, a joint statement was adopted by 28 mayors from some of Europe's capital cities (including Zagreb). This declaration affirms their objectives in the field of urban development in the European Union.
In the opening speech at the conference, Commissioner Hahn highlighted the fact that, “Without Europe's capital cities we cannot make the Europe2020 Growth Agenda a reality. That's why I am calling on the mayors to lead the way in lifting Europe out of crisis”.
As the mayors say in their statement, “capital cities are where Europe's economic and social problems are often most concentrated and most visible. But they are also the powerhouses of Europe - where the most important solutions can be found”.
In the context of the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020 and Cohesion Policy reform during the same programming period, the 28 mayors set out a number of recommendations. They highlight the importance of an integrated approach to urban development, which takes into account economic, environmental, social, cultural and demographic considerations. They also call for better coordination of European action, particularly by DG Regio in the field of urban planning. This means including the cities in policies on transport, energy, employment, the digital agenda and the environment.
Representatives from European capital cities also recommended that in the field of cohesion policy, there should be more delegation in the management of structural funds. This is also the wish expressed by the European Commission in its legislative proposal. Representatives also appreciated that, within this proposal, there was a stated wish to introduce greater flexibility, respect for local specificities and city-level initiatives. (MD/transl.fl)