Urban Agenda for the EU: Commissioner Creţu meets mayors of capitals in Riga

Commissioner for Regional policy Corina Creţu attends the annual Capital Mayors meeting in Riga, Latvia, today and Friday to discuss the implementation of the Urban Agenda for the EU. “I want capital cities to be strongly involved in the Urban Agenda for the EU”, said the Commissioner ahead of the meeting, “they are on the forefront of most challenges faced by urban areas. In the current Cohesion policy framework, cities are given more autonomy to deal with the funds then ever; I’m also here to invite them to actively participate in the discussion on the future Cohesion Policy after 2020.” During her visit to Latvia, Commissioner Creţu will also meet Dana Reizniece-Ozola, the Latvian Finance minister to discuss the future EU budget and Cohesion Policy. The Commission will report on the progress made under the Urban Agenda for the EU in October. The next Cities Forum on 27-28 November in Rotterdam will be another occasion to discuss the Urban Agenda further.