Informal Meeting of EU Ministers Responsible for
Territorial Cohesion and Urban Matters
*Please note that Latvian time is one hour ahead of Brussels time
Tuesday, 9 June
Departure from the hotel to the dinner venue
18:30
18.35
Heads of Delegation (by bus)
Delegates (by buses)
19:00
Gala Dinner
Venue: Cultural Palace “Ziemeļblāzma”, Ziemeļblāzmas iela 36
Welcome speech by the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Latvia, Mr Jānis Reirs and
by the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic
of Latvia, Mr Kaspars Gerhards
Speech by the Commissioner for Regional Policy, Ms Corina Creţu
22:00
Departure to the hotel
Wednesday, 10 June
08:10
Departure of the Delegations from the Hotel to the National Library of Latvia, Mūkusalas
iela 3 (by buses)
08:20
Departure of the Heads of Delegations from the Hotel to the National Library of Latvia,
Mūkusalas iela 3 (by buses)
08:30-9:00
Welcome by the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development
of the Republic of Latvia, Mr Kaspars Gerhards
Doorstep opportunity
Venue: Atrium, 1st floor
Welcome coffee
Venue hall “Daugava”, 2nd floor
9:00-9:10
Opening of the meeting
Venue: hall “Rīga”, 2nd floor
Simultaneous interpretation: EN/LV/DE/FR/IT/ES
Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of
Latvia, Mr Kaspars Gerhards
9:10-10:10
Riga Declaration: a Step Towards an EU Urban Agenda
Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of
Latvia, Mr Kaspars Gerhards
Commissioner for Regional Policy, Ms Corina Creţu
The discussion on the necessity to have an Urban Agenda at the European level, in order
to provide more effective and coordinated actions towards sustainable and integrated
urban development at different governance levels, has already been ongoing for a
number of years.
Previous Presidencies, the European Commission, other EU institutions and stakeholders
have provided various opportunities to discuss the shape and content of an EU Urban
Agenda, including specific thematic topics of particular importance for urban
development.
In order to move forward in the process of developing an EU Urban Agenda it is important
to have a political debate and agreement at the intergovernmental level on the basic
elements and principles of the EU Urban Agenda that could guide future Presidencies,
the Commission and other stakeholders in this process.
The Latvian Presidency proposes to discuss the overall framework of the future EU Urban
Agenda. The specific contribution of the Latvian Presidency to the debates regarding the
development of an EU Urban Agenda is an assessment of the challenges and
development potential of small and medium sized urban areas.
In that regard, a political Declaration has been prepared by the Latvian Presidency,
identifying the main elements and principles for the development of an EU Urban Agenda
while also acknowledging the important role of small and medium sized urban areas
within a common territorial development.
The purpose of the meeting is to agree on the political Declaration, while providing
an opportunity to exchange ideas regarding the main priorities of an EU Urban Agenda,
considering also the global perspective, as well as the main milestones for its
development.
In order to stimulate debate during the meeting, several key speakers will present their
position from different perspectives.
The Commissioner for Regional Policy, Ms Corina Creţu will share the perspective of the
European Commission, presenting the main elements of the Commission Staff Working
Document on the results of the public consultation on an EU Urban Agenda, reflecting on
further actions, possible milestones and collaboration mechanisms.
The representative of the European Parliament (tbc) will reflect on the importance of an
EU Urban Agenda, referring to the preparation of the report on the urban dimension of EU
policies.
The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Mr Marku Markkula will come
up with considerations on the issue from the point of view of local and regional level,
touching upon the importance of a well-coordinated, integrated and place-based
approach and the recognition of the partnership principle.
The Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of Netherlands, Mr Ronald Plasterk
will present the key milestones for the development of an EU Urban Agenda until the
Dutch Presidency from an intergovernmental perspective.
The Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, the Executive Director of the United
Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Secretary-General of the
United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III),
Dr. Joan Clos will present the relevance of the United Nations New Urban Agenda, which
will be adopted during the HABITAT III conference in 2016, while also explaining how it
can accommodate issues of importance for EU Member States.
10:10-12:00
Discussion, round table (4 min for intervention)
Delegations are invited to share their opinion on the following questions:
1. Do you agree with the statements of the Declaration?
2. What are your views on the main priorities of the future EU Urban Agenda? What
are the challenges and opportunities of European urban areas on a global scale?
3. What should be the key milestones for developing an EU Urban Agenda?
12:00-12:15
Family photo for Heads of Delegations
Venue: Atrium, 1st floor
12:00-13:30
Lunch for Heads of Delegations
Venue: hall “Jūra”, 1st floor
Buffet lunch for Delegates
Venue: Restaurant, 1st floor
13.30-15.20
Continuation of the discussion (4 min for intervention)
Venue: hall “Rīga”, 2nd floor
Simultaneous interpretation: EN/LV/DE/FR/IT/ES
During the session coffee will be available in the hall “Daugava”, 2nd floor
15.20-15.35
Agreement on the Declaration
Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of
Latvia, Mr Kaspars Gerhards
Commissioner for Regional Policy, Ms Corina Creţu
15.35-15.50
Presentation of the next Presidencies
Minister for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure of Luxembourg, Mr. François
Bausch
Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of Netherlands, Mr. Ronald Plasterk
15:50-16:00
Closing of the meeting
Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of
Latvia, Mr Kaspars Gerhards
16.00-16.30
Press conference
Venue: hall “Baltija”, 1st floor
Simultaneous interpretation : LV/EN
Participants:
Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of
Latvia, Mr Kaspars Gerhards
Commissioner for Regional Policy, Ms Corina Creţu
16.30
Departure
Contacts in Riga:
Mr
Janis
Ilgavižs,
Ministry
of
Environmental
Protection
and
Regional
development:
e-mail:
[email protected]; phone: +371 66016721 (for the Meeting of Ministers responsible for Territorial Cohesion
and Urban Matters)