- Published: 18.06.2020.
20th Meeting of Expert Group on Territorial Cohesion and Urban Matters: Activities of the Croatian Presidency in the field of territorial and urban development
Zagreb, 18th June 2020 - The 20th Meeting of the Expert Group on Territorial Cohesion and Urban Matters was organized by the European Commission and it presented the activities of the Republic of Croatia during the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The activities were presented by Sandra Momčilović, Head of Service for International Cooperation and European Sustainable Development Affairs.
Republic of Croatia presided over the Council of the EU for the first time which was a big challenge considering that the Presidency started at the beginning of the new EU institutional cycle. Croatian Presidency’s motto “A Strong Europe in a World of Challenges” proved correct and inspiring, especially with unexpected circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the earthquake that hit Zagreb and its surroundings in March of this year.The presentation covered territorial and urban matters which are under Ministry’s authority and related documents that were discussed during the six-month period.
Regarding the territorial development, the most important process is continuation of renewal of the Territorial Agenda 2020, and preparation of new, Territorial Agenda 2030. The result of Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU, after holding informal meetings at expert level for territorial matters and implemented written procedures, is a sold draft of the Territorial Agenda 2030. During the upcoming German Presidency, the document will be prepared for the final approval at the ministers meeting planned for autumn of 2020.
Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning also organized informal meetings at expert level for urban matters, whose task was discussing the future of Urban Agenda for EU and preparation of the New Leipzig Charter, a new strategic document for urban sustainable development of European union, but also the design of a so-called implementation document for the aforementioned New Leipzig Charter. Both documents have solid drafts and were submitted to DE PRES for adoption during ministerial meetings planned for autumn.
To recap, Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning presented two specific topics within the HR PRES 2020: Green Infrastructure in Urban Areas and Circular Management of Buildings and Spaces in Urban Areas, which are processed at the national level through two programmes; Green infrastructure Development Programme and Circular Management of Buildings and Spaces Development Programme, which should be adopted by the end of 2020.
The presentation ended wishing good luck with the continuous work on the EU documents, giving support to German colleagues who will take over the Presidency of the EU starting July 1st, 2020 and a hope of returning to normal life and work environment.
Photographs from the NTCCP and UDG meetings
Photo: Igor Kralj/PIXSELL/EU2020HR