The future is created in cities – Espoo present at urban meeting of Belgium's EU Presidency
40 European cities gathered on 24 January 2024 for a meeting of Belgium's Presidency of the EU to discuss how cities should be better taken into account in EU decision-making. Deputy Mayor Mervi Heinaro, who represented Espoo at the meeting, emphasised the role of cities in creating solutions to the challenges of sustainable development.
"The Espoo innovation community produces the sixth highest number of patent applications in Europe. Our community creates practical solutions and innovations that the world needs. That is why cities must be involved in discussions and preparations when decisions are made in the EU. We are part of the solution." Deputy Mayor Mervi Heinaro brought up at the panel discussion in Brussels.
The common message of the cities was that cities should be better taken into account in EU decision-making. Representatives of the cities signed a joint declaration to communicate the message to the EU institutions. Influencing EU decision-making is particularly topical due to the European Parliament elections in June 2024.
The meeting was attended by 160 leaders and experts from cities, EU institutions and regional organisations. The meeting was organised by the regional authorities of Brussels.
During the visit to Brussels, Deputy Mayor Heinaro also met representatives of the Delegation of Ukraine to the EU and the new EU office of the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine to hear about cooperation needs in the region. The area particularly needs support for building healthcare infrastructure and for rebuilding water supply, energy efficiency and community housing, among other things. Espoo's Ukrainian partner city Kryvyi Rih is located in the area.
