Mr Roman Haken participates in the Meeting of Directors General responsible for Urban Matters in Bratislava

On 3 and 4 October 2016, Mr Roman Haken participated in the Meeting of Directors General responsible for Urban Matters in Bratislava. This meeting was attended by the European Commission, Member States, the Committee of the Regions, ESPON, URBACT, EUKN, EIB, CEMR, Eurocities and other stakeholders. The complex agenda, prepared by the Slovak Presidency, was chaired by Ms Elena Szolgayova, Director General of DG Housing Policy and Urban Development, Slovak Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development.

Mr Haken, rapporteur of the EESC exploratory opinion on The future of the EU Urban Agenda seen from the perspective of civil society requested by the Dutch Presidency of the EU, believes that, as the common goal is to prepare action plans for urban development in the whole EU, it is important to help the development of  the Thematic Partnerships of the Urban Agenda. This innovative approach brings together  EU, national, regional and city level partners as well as other experts from different networks, including organised civil society. Four partnerships have completed their first steps, four new partnerships will start shortly, and four are expected to be launched in 2017.