“Invest and Connect” – European Summit of Regions and Cities in Bratislava tackles investment challenge

This year’s European Summit of Regions and Cities will take place from 8-9 July in Bratislava in the framework of the Slovak Presidency. The European Commission will be represented by Vice-President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President Jyrki Katainen responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, and Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc. Investment, both private and public, is key to future growth and job creation, and is therefore crucial for long-term economic, social and territorial cohesion. Europe’s regions and cities play an important role in addressing the investment gap. The Commission’s representatives will re-iterate how particular EU funding programmes such as the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) ease access to EU funding, promoting combinations of EU funds and enhancing the knowledge base regarding urban matters and the exchange of best practices. Unlocking the investment potential and tackling growing regional disparity among Europe’s cities and regions is one of the objectives of the recently agreed “Pact of Amsterdam” which sets out the key principles of the Urban Agenda of the EU. The Summit is jointly organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the Bratislava Region and City of Bratislava, and provides a platform for high-level discussions between the EU institutions, local politicians and other experts and stakeholders. Please consult the conference website for the full programme.Follow the event on twitter: #BratislavaSummit @eu2016sk