Territorial 
Agenda 
of 
the 
European 
Union 
2020 


Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


agreed 
at 
the 
Informal 
Ministerial 
Meeting 
of 
Ministers 
responsible 
for 
Spatial 
Planning 
and 
Territorial 
Development 
on 
19th 
May 
2011 
Gödöllő, 
Hungary 




 
Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


TERRITORIAL 
AGENDA 
OF 
THE 
EUROPEAN 
UNION 
2020 
I. 
Territorial 
cohesion 
is 
a 
common 
goal 
For 
a 
more 
harmonious 
and 
balanced 
state 
of 
Europe 


(1) 
We, 
the 
Ministers 
responsible 
for 
spatial 
planning 
and 
territorial 
development, 
in 
cooperation 
with 
the 
European 
Commission 
and 
with 
the 
endorsement 
of 
the 
Committee 
of 
the 
Regions, 
have 
reviewed 
the 
Territorial 
Agenda 
launched 
in 
2007 
and 
agree 
upon 
the 
new 
Territorial 
Agenda 
of 
the 
European 
Union 
2020 
(TA2020). 
(2) 
TA2020 
takes 
into 
consideration 
the 
recent 
developments 
described 
in 
the 
updated 
Territorial 
State 
and 
Perspectives 
of 
the 
European 
Union, 
on 
the 
Commission's 
Fifth 
Report 
on 
Economic, 
Social 
and 
Territorial 
cohesion 
and 
on 
the 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy. 
(3) 
We 
state 
that 
the 
TA2020 
is 
our 
action 
oriented 
policy 
framework 
to 
support 
territorial 
cohesion 
in 
Europe 
as 
a 
new 
goal 
of 
the 
European 
Union 
(EU) 
introduced 
by 
the 
Treaty 
of 
Lisbon 
(Art 
3.TEU). 
It 
outlines 
objectives 
in 
accordance 
with 
the 
time 
horizon 
of 
major 
policy 
documents 
until 
2020. 
(4) 
The 
objective 
of 
the 
TA2020 
is 
to 
provide 
strategic 
orientations 
for 
territorial 
development, 
fostering 
integration 
of 
territorial 
dimension 
within 
different 
policies 
at 
all 
governance 
levels 
and 
to 
ensure 
implementation 
of 
the 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy 
according 
to 
territorial 
cohesion 
principles. 
(5) 
We 
believe 
that 
the 
objectives 
of 
the 
EU 
defined 
in 
the 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy 
for 
smart, 
sustainable 
and 
inclusive 
growth 
can 
only 
be 
achieved 
if 
the 
territorial 
dimension 
of 
the 
strategy 
is 
taken 
into 
account, 
as 
the 
development 
opportunities 
of 
the 
different 
regions 
vary. 
(6) 
We 
welcome 
the 
proposal 
of 
the 
European 
Commission 
expressed 
in 
the 
Fifth 
Report 
on 
Economic, 
Social 
and 
Territorial 
Cohesion 
to 
better 
integrate 
territorial 
cohesion 
into 
Cohesion 
Policy. 
Cohesion 
Policy 
is 
a 
key 
framework 
through 
which 
the 
EU 
can 
address 
territorial 
development 
challenges 
and 
helps 
unleash 
territorial 
potential 
at 
local, 
regional, 
national 
and 
transnational 
levels. 
The 
TA2020 
does 
not 
preempt 
future 
agreements 
such 
as 
the 
next 
financial 
perspective 
and 
the 
next 
legislative 
package 
for 
Structural 
Funds, 
but 
emphasises 
the 
importance 
of 
considering 
the 
territorial 
dimension. 
(7) 
In 
line 
with 
the 
Treaty 
on 
the 
Functioning 
of 
the 
European 
Union 
(Art. 
174 
and 
175), 
all 
policies 
and 
actions 
of 
the 
Union 
should 
contribute 
to 
economic, 
social 
and 
territorial 
cohesion. 
Therefore 
those 
responsible 
for 
design 
and 
implementation 
of 
sectoral 
policies 
should 
take 
the 
principles 
and 
objectives 
of 
the 
Territorial 
Agenda 
into 
consideration. 
The 
coherence 
of 
EU 
and 
national 
policies 
is 
of 
utmost 
importance 
for 
territorial 
cohesion. 
Most 
policies 
have 
significant 
territorial 
impacts, 
influencing 
the 
development 
opportunities 
of 
territories 
in 
different 
ways. 
The 
co-ordination 
of 
different 
sectoral 
policies, 
to 
optimise 
territorial 
impact 
and 
maximise 
coherence 
can 
significantly 
increase 
their 
success, 
and 
help 
avoid, 
at 
all 
territorial 
levels, 
negative 
effects 
from 
conflicting 
policies. 
The 
optimal 
balance 
of 
sustainability, 
competitiveness, 
and 
social 
cohesion 
can 
be 
realised 
through 
integrated 
territorial 
development. 
(8) 
We 
believe 
that 
territorial 
cohesion 
is 
a 
set 
of 
principles 
for 
harmonious, 
balanced, 
efficient, 
sustainable 
territorial 
development. 
It 
enables 
equal 
opportunities 
for 
citizens 
and 
enterprises, 
wherever 
they 
are 
located, 
to 
make 
the 
most 
of 
their 
territorial 
potentials. 
Territorial 
cohesion 
reinforces 
the 
principle 
of 
solidarity 
to 
promote 
convergence 
between 
the 
economies 
of 
better-off 
territories 
and 
those 
whose 
development 
is 
lagging 
behind. 
(9) 
Territorial 
cohesion 
complements 
solidarity 
mechanisms 
with 
a 
qualitative 
approach 
and 
clarifies 
that 
development 
opportunities 
are 
best 
tailored 
to 
the 
specificities 
of 
an 
area. 
Regions 
might 
need 
external 
support 
to 
find 
their 
own 
paths 
of 
sustainable 
development, 
with 
particular 
attention 
paid 
to 
those 
regions 
lagging 
behind. 
Regional 
interdependencies 
are 
increasingly 
important, 
which 
calls 
for 
continued 
networking, 
cooperation 
and 
integration 
between 
various 
regions 
of 
the 
EU 
at 
all 
relevant 
territorial 
levels. 
3 



Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


(10) 
We 
call 
states, 
regions, 
cities 
(incl. 
small 
and 
medium 
sized 
towns), 
other 
territories 
and 
sectoral 
policies 
at 
all 
relevant 
levels 
to 
contribute 
to 
common 
European 
territorial 
priorities. 
We 
shall 
facilitate 
their 
ability 
to 
respond 
more 
effectively 
to 
the 
key 
challenges 
Europe 
faces 
through 
closer 
cooperation. 
We 
believe 
that 
such 
cooperation 
is 
key 
to 
fostering 
smart, 
inclusive 
and 
sustainable 
growth 
and 
territorial 
cohesion 
in 
the 
EU. 
(11) 
We 
consider 
that 
the 
place-based 
approach 
to 
policy 
making 
contributes 
to 
territorial 
cohesion. 
Based 
on 
the 
principles 
of 
horizontal 
coordination, 
evidence-informed 
policy 
making 
and 
integrated 
functional 
area 
development, 
it 
implements 
the 
subsidiarity 
principle 
through 
a 
multilevel 
governance 
approach. 
It 
aims 
to 
unleash 
territorial 
potential 
through 
development 
strategies 
based 
on 
local 
and 
regional 
knowledge 
of 
needs, 
and 
building 
on 
the 
specific 
assets 
and 
factors 
which 
contribute 
to 
the 
competitiveness 
of 
places. 
Places 
can 
utilize 
their 
territorial 
capital 
to 
realise 
optimal 
solutions 
for 
long-
term 
development, 
and 
contribute 
in 
this 
way 
to 
the 
achievement 
of 
the 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy 
objectives. 
(12) 
We 
believe 
that 
diversity 
of 
territories 
is 
a 
potential 
for 
development, 
and 
that 
the 
distinctive 
identities 
of 
local 
and 
regional 
communities 
are 
of 
key 
relevance 
in 
this 
regard. 
Territories 
with 
common 
potentials 
or 
challenges 
can 
collaborate 
in 
finding 
common 
solutions 
and 
utilise 
their 
territorial 
potential 
by 
sharing 
experience. 
Territories 
with 
complementary 
potentials, 
often 
neighbouring, 
can 
join 
forces 
and 
explore 
their 
comparative 
advantages 
together 
creating 
additional 
development 
potential. 
(13) 
We 
are 
convinced 
that 
inclusive, 
sustainable 
and 
efficient 
use 
of 
Europe’s 
territory 
and 
resources 
is 
a 
key 
element 
of 
cohesion. 
The 
better 
use 
of 
territory 
can 
contribute 
positively 
to 
the 
development 
of 
economies; 
fair 
access 
to 
services 
of 
general 
interest; 
infrastructure 
and 
public 
goods; 
and 
wise 
management 
of 
natural 
and 
cultural 
assets. 
II. 
Challenges 
and 
potentials 
for 
territorial 
development 
Driving 
forces 
and 
their 
territorial 
aspects 
(14) 
Based 
on 
the 
main 
conclusions 
of 
the 
updated 
Territorial 
State 
and 
Perspective 
of 
the 
European 
Union 
we 
draw 
attention 
to 
the 
main 
territorial 
challenges. 
We 
are 
convinced 
that 
a 
coordinated 
approach 
is 
needed 
to 
transform 
these 
into 
potentials 
for 
sustainable 
and 
harmonious 
territorial 
development. 
Increased 
exposure 
to 
globalisation: 
structural 
changes 
after 
the 
global 
economic 
crisis 


(15) 
Accelerating 
globalisation 
and 
growing 
vulnerability 
to 
external 
shocks 
have 
been 
experienced 
by 
local 
and 
regional 
communities. 
In 
some 
cases 
even 
the 
prosperity, 
sustainability 
and 
stability 
of 
cities 
and 
regions 
have 
been 
threatened. 
The 
effects 
have 
been 
even 
more 
visible 
during 
the 
recent 
financial 
and 
economic 
crisis. 
As 
the 
long-term 
effects 
of 
the 
crisis 
on 
development 
opportunities 
vary 
territorially, 
the 
timing 
of 
recovery 
and 
the 
range 
of 
possible 
policy 
responses 
differ 
across 
regions. 
The 
crisis, 
however, 
provides 
an 
opportunity 
for 
a 
transition 
towards 
more 
sustainable 
and 
resource 
efficient 
economic 
structures 
if 
appropriate 
actions 
are 
taken 
(16) 
Globalization 
can 
bring 
about 
important 
territorial 
consequences 
at 
EU, 
national, 
regional 
and 
local 
levels. 
Metropolitan 
and 
other 
urban 
regions, 
international 
and 
global 
gateways 
are 
assets 
for 
the 
development 
of 
the 
whole 
European 
territory, 
provided 
that 
other 
regions 
benefit 
from 
their 
dynamism 
and 
are 
connected 
through 
networks. 
Local 
endowments 
and 
territorial 
characteristics 
have 
growing 
importance 
for 
regions 
in 
order 
to 
cope 
with 
and 
recover 
from 
external 
shocks. 
Challenges 
of 
EU 
integration 
and 
the 
growing 
interdependences 
of 
regions 


(17) 
Deepening 
and 
widening 
of 
EU 
integration 
is 
challenged 
by 
internal 
factors 
such 
as 
regions 
divided 
by 
administrative 
borders, 
and 
differences 
in 
fiscal 
discipline 
and 
commitment 
between 
Member 
States. 
Changes 
in 
one 
part 
of 
Europe 
can 
have 
effects 
in 
other 
parts 
of 
the 
continent 
due 
to 
the 
growing 
interdependences 
of 
regions. 
The 
challenge 
of 
the 
core-periphery 
division 
is 
still 
present, 
even 
on 
the 
national 
scale. 
Cohesion 
at 
the 
external 
borders 
is 
crucial, 
as 
disparities 
and 
differences 
in 
legal, 
social 
and 
4 



Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


political 
systems 
have 
important 
consequences 
especially 
in 
terms 
of 
migration 
and 
trade. 
The 
growing 
interdependence 
of 
regions 
generates 
demand 
for 
better 
connectivity 
at 
global, 
European 
and 
national 
level. 
Integration 
barriers 
at 
local 
and 
regional 
level 
can 
result 
in 
the 
underutilization 
of 
human, 
cultural, 
economic 
and 
ecological 
resources 
of 
the 
border 
regions 
and 
increase 
their 
peripheral 
position 
and 
social 
exclusion. 


Territorially 
diverse 
demographic 
and 
social 
challenges, 
segregation 
of 
vulnerable 
groups 


(18) 
Europe 
faces 
increasing 
and 
territorially 
differentiated 
demographic 
challenges. 
Ageing 
and 
depopulation 
will 
bring 
about 
changes 
in 
many 
regions, 
including 
rural 
and 
peripheral 
regions 
and 
lead 
to 
severe 
impacts 
for 
social 
and 
territorial 
cohesion, 
public 
service 
provision, 
labour 
market 
and 
housing. 
Other 
regions 
have 
growing 
populations 
and 
face 
other 
pressures. 
Significant 
intra-European 
migration 
after 
the 
EU 
enlargement 
and 
immigration 
mainly 
from 
less 
developed 
non-EU 
countries 
constitute 
specific 
challenges 
and 
opportunities 
especially 
in 
urban 
areas. 
(19) 
Exclusion 
from 
the 
socio-economic 
circuit 
definitely 
has 
a 
strong 
territorial 
character. 
The 
risk 
of 
exclusion 
is 
higher 
in 
areas 
with 
low 
accessibility, 
weak 
economic 
performance, 
lack 
of 
social 
opportunities 
or 
other 
particular 
territorial 
circumstances. 
Vulnerable 
groups 
and 
ethnic 
minorities 
often 
end 
up 
concentrated 
in 
certain 
urban 
and 
rural 
areas 
and 
their 
integration 
is 
hindered 
as 
a 
result. 
Where 
these 
territories 
are 
part 
of 
larger 
administrative 
units 
the 
problem 
can 
be 
hidden 
within 
official 
statistics. 
Climate 
change 
and 
environmental 
risks: 
geographically 
diverse 
impacts 


(20) 
The 
impacts 
of 
climate 
change 
vary 
considerably 
across 
Europe 
in 
terms 
of 
geographical 
regions 
with 
different 
types 
of 
impacts 
and 
different 
degrees 
of 
vulnerability. 
The 
increased 
risk 
of 
sea 
level 
rise, 
drought, 
desertification, 
floods 
and 
other 
natural 
hazards 
calls 
for 
territorially 
different 
responses. 
Regions 
have 
different 
opportunities 
to 
embed 
adaptation 
and 
mitigation 
into 
their 
strategies, 
decreasing 
greenhouse 
gas 
emissions 
and 
adjusting 
their 
socioeconomic 
systems 
to 
a 
low 
carbon 
economy. 
Climate 
change 
may 
also 
lead 
to 
new 
development 
opportunities, 
such 
as 
within 
agriculture, 
green 
economy 
and 
renewable 
energy 
production. 
The 
challenges 
of 
climate 
change 
draw 
attention 
to 
the 
territorial 
coordination 
of 
policies, 
especially 
climate, 
energy, 
water 
management, 
agriculture, 
housing, 
tourism 
and 
transport. 
(21)The 
environmental 
quality 
of 
air, 
soil 
and 
water 
is 
diverse 
across 
Europe 
and 
air 
pollution 
and 
noise 
cause 
serious 
health 
problems. 
In 
certain 
cases 
it 
correlates 
with 
social 
inequality. 
Disparities 
in 
the 
access 
to 
clean 
air, 
water 
and 
soil 
do 
not 
only 
appear 
between 
countries 
and 
regions 
but 
also 
between 
urban 
and 
rural 
areas 
as 
well 
as 
inside 
cities. 
Energy 
challenges 
come 
to 
the 
fore 
and 
threaten 
regional 
competitiveness 


(22) 
Certain 
European 
regions 
face 
challenges 
of 
security 
in 
energy 
supply, 
as 
they 
are 
heavily 
dependent 
on 
fossil 
fuel 
imports 
or 
specialized 
in 
energy 
intensive 
activities. 
Significant 
imports 
from 
third 
countries 
vulnerable 
to 
economic 
or 
political 
instability 
increase 
problems 
for 
energy 
security. 
Rising 
energy 
prices 
and 
emissions 
draw 
attention 
to 
the 
need 
for 
sustainable 
energy 
solutions 
such 
as 
realising 
the 
potential 
of 
renewable 
energy 
resources 
and 
shifting 
towards 
greener, 
low 
carbon 
economic 
activities. 
Insufficient 
energy 
infrastructure 
and 
dependencies 
created 
by 
existing 
networks 
call 
for 
diversification 
of 
energy 
production 
and 
supply, 
as 
well 
as 
development 
of 
energy 
market 
and 
integration. 
Some 
territories 
such 
as 
islands 
and 
remote 
and 
sparsely 
populated 
areas 
can 
be 
more 
susceptible 
to 
energy 
shortages 
and 
rising 
prices, 
while 
urban 
sprawl 
contributes 
to 
high, 
unsustainable 
energy 
consumption 
rates. 
Loss 
of 
biodiversity, 
vulnerable 
natural, 
landscape 
and 
cultural 
heritage 


(23) 
Natural 
and 
cultural 
heritage 
are 
parts 
of 
territorial 
capital 
and 
identity. 
Ecological 
values, 
environmental 
quality 
and 
cultural 
assets 
are 
crucial 
to 
well-being 
and 
to 
economic 
prospects 
and 
offer 
unique 
development 
opportunities. 
Overexploitation 
of 
these 
resources 
to 
provide 
for 
increasing 
demand, 
as 
well 
as 
industrial 
hazards 
can 
cause 
serious 
damage 
and 
may 
threaten 
territorial 
development. 
Urbanisation, 
intensification 
of 
agriculture 
and 
fisheries, 
transport 
and 
other 
types 
of 
infrastructure 
development, 
particularly 
where 
they 
take 
place 
in 
a 
territorially 
uncoordinated 
manner, 
can 
cause 
severe 
environmental 
problems. 
Increased 
and 
uncoordinated 
exploitation 
of 
maritime 
space 
5 



Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


and 
marine 
resources 
may 
have 
consequences 
for 
sustainable 
territorial 
development. 
Changes 
in 
land-
and 
sea 
use, 
urbanisation 
and 
mass 
tourism 
threaten 
cultural 
assets 
and 
landscapes 
and 
may 
lead 
to 
fragmentation 
of 
natural 
habitats 
and 
ecological 
corridors. 
In 
historic 
and 
cultural 
environments, 
as 
well 
as 
in 
areas 
for 
new 
development 
or 
constructions, 
attention 
paid 
to 
the 
character 
of 
the 
place 
can 
improve 
the 
coherence 
and 
quality 
of 
the 
built 
environment. 


III. 
Territorial 
Priorities 
for 
the 
Development 
of 
the 
European 
Union 
(24) 
We 
believe 
that 
the 
challenges 
for 
territorial 
development 
need 
common 
attention 
and 
where 
appropriate 
joint 
efforts 
to 
handle 
them 
and 
utilise 
territorial 
potentials. 
We 
therefore 
define 
six 
territorial 
priorities 
for 
the 
EU 
which 
can 
contribute 
to 
the 
successful 
implementation 
of 
the 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy. 
1. 
Promote 
polycentric 
and 
balanced 
territorial 
development 
(25) 
We 
stress 
that 
polycentric 
and 
balanced 
territorial 
development 
of 
the 
EU 
is 
key 
element 
of 
achieving 
territorial 
cohesion. 
Where 
the 
most 
developed 
cities 
and 
regions 
within 
Europe 
cooperate 
as 
parts 
of 
a 
polycentric 
pattern 
they 
add 
value 
and 
act 
as 
centres 
contributing 
to 
the 
development 
of 
their 
wider 
regions. 
Urban 
development 
policies 
also 
have 
a 
significant 
role 
in 
this 
regard. 
Polycentric 
territorial 
development 
policy 
should 
foster 
the 
territorial 
competitiveness 
of 
the 
EU 
territory 
also 
outside 
the 
core 
‘Pentagon 
area’. 
We 
encourage 
cities 
to 
form 
networks 
in 
an 
innovative 
manner, 
which 
may 
allow 
them 
to 
improve 
their 
performance 
in 
European 
and 
global 
competition 
and 
promote 
economic 
prosperity 
towards 
sustainable 
development. 
(26) 
At 
the 
same 
time 
we 
aim 
at 
polycentric 
development 
at 
the 
macro-regional, 
cross-border 
and 
also 
on 
national 
and 
regional 
level 
in 
relevant 
cases. 
Where 
possible, 
it 
is 
important 
to 
avoid 
polarization 
between 
capitals, 
metropolitan 
areas 
and 
medium 
sized 
towns 
on 
the 
national 
scale. 
Small 
and 
mediumsized 
towns 
can 
play 
a 
crucial 
role 
at 
regional 
level. 
Policy 
efforts 
should 
contribute 
to 
reducing 
the 
strong 
territorial 
polarisation 
of 
economic 
performance, 
avoiding 
large 
regional 
disparities 
in 
the 
European 
territory 
by 
addressing 
bottlenecks 
to 
growth 
in 
line 
with 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy. 
2. 
Encouraging 
integrated 
development 
in 
cities, 
rural 
and 
specific 
regions 
(27) 
We 
declare 
that 
the 
objectives 
and 
concerns 
identified 
by 
Ministers 
responsible 
for 
urban 
development 
in 
the 
Leipzig 
Charter 
on 
Sustainable 
European 
Cities, 
and 
the 
Marseille 
and 
the 
Toledo 
Declarations 
on 
Urban 
Development 
should 
be 
taken 
into 
account 
in 
territorial 
policy 
making 
at 
all 
levels. 
We 
support 
all 
the 
efforts, 
which 
help 
to 
make 
cities 
motors 
of 
smart, 
sustainable 
and 
inclusive 
development 
and 
attractive 
places 
to 
live, 
work, 
visit 
and 
invest 
in. 
Accordingly, 
we 
recommend 
applying 
an 
integrated 
and 
multilevel 
approach 
in 
urban 
development 
and 
regeneration 
policies. 
The 
cooperation 
and 
networking 
of 
cities 
could 
contribute 
to 
smart 
development 
of 
city 
regions 
at 
varying 
scales 
in 
the 
long 
run. 
Cities 
should, 
where 
appropriate 
look 
beyond 
their 
administrative 
borders 
and 
focus 
on 
functional 
regions, 
including 
their 
peri-urban 
neighbourhoods. 
(28) 
The 
development 
of 
the 
wide 
variety 
of 
rural 
areas 
should 
take 
account 
of 
their 
unique 
characteristics. 
Rural, 
peripheral 
and 
sparsely 
populated 
territories 
may 
need 
to 
enhance 
their 
accessibility, 
foster 
entrepreneurship 
and 
build 
strong 
local 
capacities. 
Some 
rural 
areas 
tend 
to 
be 
vulnerable 
territories 
rich 
in 
cultural 
and 
natural 
values. 
We 
support 
the 
safeguarding 
and 
sustainable 
utilization 
of 
this 
territorial 
capital, 
the 
ecological 
functions 
and 
services 
it 
provides. 
Special 
attention 
may 
need 
to 
be 
paid 
to 
underdeveloped 
peripheral 
rural 
and 
sparsely 
populated 
areas 
where 
disadvantaged 
social 
groups 
often 
suffer 
from 
segregation. 
Territories 
facing 
severe 
depopulation 
should 
have 
long-term 
solutions 
to 
maintain 
their 
economic 
activity 
by 
enhancing 
job 
creation, 
attractive 
living 
conditions 
and 
public 
services 
for 
inhabitants 
and 
businesses. 
In 
rural 
areas 
where 
agriculture 
and 
forestry 
are 
still 
important 
forms 
of 
land 
use, 
modernisation 
of 
the 
primary 
sector 
through 
resource-efficient 
investments 
in 
new 
and 
alternative 
sectors 
and 
preservation 
of 
high 
quality 
arable 
land 
and 
ecological 
functions 
are 
essential. 
6 



Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


(29) 
We 
acknowledge 
the 
diverse 
links 
that 
urban 
and 
rural 
territories 
throughout 
Europe 
can 
have 
with 
each 
other, 
ranging 
from 
peri-urban 
to 
peripheral 
rural 
regions. 
Urban-rural 
interdependence 
should 
be 
recognised 
through 
integrated 
governance 
and 
planning 
based 
on 
broad 
partnership. 
We 
welcome 
placebased 
strategies 
developed 
locally 
to 
address 
local 
conditions. 
In 
rural 
areas 
small 
and 
medium-sized 
towns 
play 
a 
crucial 
role; 
therefore 
it 
is 
important 
to 
improve 
the 
accessibility 
of 
urban 
centres 
from 
related 
rural 
territories 
to 
ensure 
the 
necessary 
availability 
of 
job 
opportunities 
and 
services 
of 
general 
interest. 
Metropolitan 
regions 
should 
also 
be 
aware 
that 
they 
have 
responsibility 
for 
the 
development 
of 
their 
wider 
surroundings. 
(30) 
We 
recall 
that 
specific 
geographical 
endowments 
have 
significant 
influence 
on 
the 
development 
opportunities 
of 
many 
regions 
and 
Member 
States. 
This 
is 
also 
recognised 
by 
the 
Treaty 
on 
the 
Functioning 
of 
the 
European 
Union 
(Art. 
174). 
Coastal 
zones, 
islands, 
including 
island 
states, 
mountainous 
areas, 
plains, 
river 
valleys 
and 
lake 
basins 
and 
other 
types 
of 
territories 
have 
special 
– 
often 
cross 
border– 
features, 
or 
suffer 
from 
severe 
and 
permanent 
natural 
or 
demographic 
handicaps 
such 
as 
low 
population 
density, 
which 
influence 
their 
development 
potentials. 
Outermost 
regions 
(Art. 
349) 
have 
specific 
and 
permanent 
constraints, 
notably 
due 
to 
the 
distance 
from 
the 
mainland, 
and 
a 
specific 
international 
context. 
These 
specific 
potentials 
can 
be 
unleashed 
and 
problems 
tackled 
jointly 
by 
actors 
from 
different 
states 
or 
regions 
in 
an 
integrated 
way. 
3. 
Territorial 
integration 
in 
cross-border 
and 
transnational 
functional 
regions 
(31) 
We 
consider 
that 
the 
integration 
of 
territories 
through 
territorial 
cooperation 
can 
be 
an 
important 
factor 
in 
fostering 
global 
competitiveness. 
In 
this 
way, 
potentials 
such 
as 
valuable 
natural, 
landscape 
and 
cultural 
heritage, 
city 
networks 
and 
labour 
markets 
divided 
by 
borders 
can 
be 
better 
utilized. 
Attention 
shall 
be 
paid 
to 
areas 
along 
external 
borders 
of 
the 
EU 
in 
this 
regard. 
Territorial 
integration 
and 
cooperation 
can 
create 
a 
critical 
mass 
for 
development, 
diminishing 
economic, 
social 
and 
ecological 
fragmentation, 
building 
mutual 
trust 
and 
social 
capital. 
Cross 
border 
and 
transnational 
functional 
regions 
may 
require 
proper 
policy 
coordination 
between 
different 
countries. 
(32) 
We 
support 
transnational 
and 
cross 
border 
integration 
of 
regions 
going 
beyond 
cooperation 
projects 
and 
focusing 
on 
developments 
and 
results 
of 
real 
cross-border 
or 
transnational 
relevance. 
European 
Territorial 
Cooperation 
should 
be 
better 
embedded 
within 
national, 
regional 
and 
local 
development 
strategies. 
4. 
Ensuring 
global 
competitiveness 
of 
the 
regions 
based 
on 
strong 
local 
economies 
(33) 
We 
recall 
that 
economic 
competitiveness 
can 
be 
enhanced 
by 
the 
development 
of 
globally 
integrated 
economic 
sectors 
and 
strong 
local 
economies. 
The 
use 
of 
social 
capital, 
territorial 
assets, 
and 
the 
development 
of 
innovation 
and 
smart 
specialisation 
strategies 
in 
a 
place-based 
approach 
can 
play 
a 
key 
role. 
The 
global 
and 
local 
strands 
are 
mutually 
reinforcing 
and 
interlinked, 
and 
should 
therefore 
be 
developed 
in 
parallel 
to 
each 
other. 
Strengthening 
research, 
human 
capital, 
the 
capacity 
for 
innovation 
and 
bringing 
ideas 
to 
the 
market 
are 
essential. 
(34) 
Furthermore, 
integration 
of 
local 
endowments, 
characteristics 
and 
traditions 
into 
the 
global 
economy 
is 
important 
in 
strengthening 
local 
responses 
and 
reducing 
vulnerability 
to 
external 
forces. 
Improving 
local 
economies 
through 
development 
of 
local 
products 
and 
markets, 
business 
environments, 
locally-oriented 
training 
provision, 
partial 
self-sufficiency 
and 
building 
up 
cohesive 
and 
strong 
local 
communities 
can 
be 
effective 
tools. 
It 
is 
important 
to 
preserve 
and 
improve 
the 
innovation 
capacity 
of 
all 
regions. 
Diversification 
of 
the 
local 
economy 
can 
decrease 
vulnerability. 
5. 
Improving 
territorial 
connectivity 
for 
individuals, 
communities 
and 
enterprises 
(35) 
We 
believe 
that 
fair 
and 
affordable 
accessibility 
to 
services 
of 
general 
interest, 
information, 
knowledge 
and 
mobility 
are 
essential 
for 
territorial 
cohesion. 
Providing 
services 
and 
minimising 
infrastructure 
barriers 
can 
improve 
competitiveness, 
and 
the 
sustainable 
and 
harmonious 
territorial 
development 
of 
the 
European 
Union. 
Among 
others 
it 
is 
important 
to 
secure 
access 
to 
road, 
rail, 
waterbased 
and 
air 
transport, 
and 
to 
other 
infrastructure 
facilities 
such 
as 
broadband 
and 
trans-European 
7 



Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


energy 
networks. 
We 
support 
decentralized, 
efficient, 
secure 
and 
environmentally-friendly 
production 
and 
use 
of 
renewable 
and 
low 
carbon 
energy. 


(36) 
We 
support 
effective 
inter-modal 
transport 
solutions 
especially 
within 
city-regions; 
sea-overland 
connections 
and 
efficient 
airport-railway 
relationships. 
The 
increasing 
importance 
of 
global 
linkages 
creates 
the 
need 
for 
balanced 
intercontinental 
traffic 
including 
greater 
use 
of 
overland 
connections 
with 
Asia. 
Further 
development 
of 
Trans-European 
networks 
(TEN-T) 
linking 
the 
main 
European 
centres, 
such 
as 
capitals, 
metropolitan 
regions 
and 
TEN-nodes 
and 
improving 
linkages 
between 
primary 
and 
secondary 
systems 
should 
be 
an 
essential 
component 
of 
the 
integrated 
network. 
Development 
of 
secondary 
networks 
is 
important, 
especially 
at 
regional 
and 
local 
level. 
We 
encourage 
the 
accessibility 
of 
urban 
centres 
in 
peripheries 
where 
a 
combination 
of 
social 
and 
economic 
disadvantages 
can 
result 
in 
the 
segregation 
of 
vulnerable 
groups. 
Transport 
connections 
across 
territorial 
barriers 
such 
as 
those 
to 
islands 
and 
overseas 
territories 
should 
be 
developed 
where 
appropriate. 
6. 
Managing 
and 
connecting 
ecological, 
landscape 
and 
cultural 
values 
of 
regions 
(37) 
We 
underline 
that 
well-functioning 
ecological 
systems 
and 
the 
protection 
and 
enhancement 
of 
cultural 
and 
natural 
heritage 
are 
important 
conditions 
for 
long-term 
sustainable 
development. 
We 
are 
all 
responsible 
for 
ensuring 
they 
are 
well 
functioning, 
protected 
and 
enhanced. 
Joint 
risk 
management 
is 
particularly 
important, 
taking 
into 
consideration 
different 
geographical 
specificities. 
We 
support 
the 
integration 
of 
ecological 
systems 
and 
areas 
protected 
for 
their 
natural 
values 
into 
green 
infrastructure 
networks 
at 
all 
levels. 
(38) 
The 
high 
value 
of 
European 
urban 
and 
rural 
landscapes 
should 
be 
protected 
and 
developed 
in 
qualitative 
terms. 
Areas 
rich 
in 
natural 
and 
cultural 
landscapes 
may 
need 
special 
attention 
in 
order 
to 
make 
best 
use 
of 
these 
assets. 
Environmentally 
friendly 
job 
creation 
and 
strengthened 
recreational 
functions 
can 
complement 
conservation. 
The 
local, 
regional 
and 
trans-regional 
management 
of 
cultural 
and 
natural 
heritage 
is 
of 
key 
importance. 
We 
support 
the 
protection, 
rehabilitation 
and 
utilization 
of 
heritage 
through 
a 
place-based 
approach. 
Improving 
regional 
and 
local 
identity 
by 
strengthening 
awareness 
and 
responsibility 
of 
local 
and 
regional 
communities 
towards 
their 
environments, 
landscapes, 
cultures 
and 
other 
unique 
values 
is 
also 
important. 
IV. 
Making 
EU 
territorial 
cohesion 
a 
reality 
The 
governance 
and 
implementation 
mechanisms 
(39) 
We 
consider 
that 
the 
Lisbon 
Treaty 
has 
important 
implications 
for 
the 
future 
of 
territorial 
development 
policy 
in 
Europe. 
Member 
States 
and 
EU 
institutions 
have 
shared 
competence 
in 
contributing 
to 
territorial 
cohesion 
and 
therefore 
a 
shared 
role 
in 
the 
implementation 
of 
the 
TA2020. 
(40) 
We 
are 
aware 
that 
enhancing 
territorial 
cohesion 
calls 
for 
effective 
coordination 
of 
different 
policies, 
actors 
and 
planning 
mechanisms, 
and 
the 
creation 
and 
sharing 
of 
territorial 
knowledge. 
Implementation 
instruments 
and 
competences 
are 
in 
the 
hands 
of 
EU 
institutions, 
Member 
States, 
regional 
and 
local 
authorities 
and 
private 
actors. 
Multi-level 
governance 
formats 
are 
required 
to 
manage 
different 
functional 
territories 
and 
to 
ensure 
balanced 
and 
coordinated 
contribution 
of 
local, 
regional, 
national 
and 
European 
actors 
in 
compliance 
with 
the 
principle 
of 
subsidiarity. 
This 
needs 
vertical 
and 
horizontal 
coordination 
between 
decision-making 
bodies 
at 
different 
levels 
and 
sector-related 
policies 
to 
secure 
consistency 
and 
synergy. 
Territorial 
coordination 
of 
policies 


(41) 
We 
are 
convinced 
that 
recognizing 
the 
territorial 
dimension 
and 
the 
coordination 
of 
EU 
and 
national 
sectoral 
policies 
are 
important 
principles 
in 
fostering 
territorial 
cohesion. 
Most 
policies 
at 
each 
territorial 
level 
can 
be 
made 
significantly 
more 
efficient 
and 
can 
achieve 
synergies 
with 
other 
policies 
if 
they 
take 
the 
territorial 
dimension 
and 
territorial 
impacts 
into 
account. 
(42) 
Taking 
territorial 
impacts 
into 
account 
during 
policy 
development 
can 
help 
to 
avoid 
creating 
barriers 
to 
implementation 
and 
unintended 
side-effects 
on 
other 
policy 
areas 
and 
on 
the 
territories. 
Policies 
should 
8 



Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


take 
territorial 
differences 
into 
account, 
with 
interventions 
tailored 
to 
the 
specific 
type 
of 
territory 
and 
the 
use 
of 
territorial 
approaches 
in 
planning. 
This 
will 
improve 
the 
utilisation 
of 
territorial 
capital. 


(43) 
Efficient 
interplay 
of 
sectoral 
policies 
can 
be 
supported 
by 
their 
coordination 
at 
each 
territorial 
level. 
Territorial 
coordination 
should 
be 
supported 
by 
instruments 
such 
as 
assessment 
of 
territorial 
impacts, 
coordinating 
planning 
mechanisms 
and 
territorially 
sensitive 
monitoring. 
We 
emphasize 
that 
EU 
policies 
can 
contribute 
to 
the 
implementation 
of 
the 
territorial 
priorities 
of 
the 
EU 
to 
different 
extents 
and 
in 
different 
ways 
as 
demonstrated 
with 
examples 
in 
the 
updated 
Territorial 
State 
and 
Perspectives. 
Territorial 
cohesion 
implementation 
mechanisms 


(44) 
We 
call 
for 
a 
more 
strategic 
approach 
to 
enhance 
territorial 
cohesion. 
Designing 
and 
implementing 
integrated 
local, 
regional 
development 
is 
an 
important 
issue. 
The 
territorial 
dimension 
could 
be 
better 
reflected 
and 
the 
different 
starting 
positions, 
national, 
regional 
and 
local 
specificities 
should 
be 
recognised 
in 
the 
implementation 
and 
monitoring 
process 
of 
the 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy. 
(45) 
We 
believe 
that 
Cohesion 
Policy 
and 
also 
Rural 
Development 
Policy 
with 
their 
integrating 
character 
and 
certain 
cross-sector 
nature 
are 
key 
instruments 
for 
encouraging 
the 
balanced 
territorial 
development 
of 
the 
European 
Union. 
(46) 
We 
support 
deepening 
the 
territorial 
dimension 
of 
Cohesion 
Policy 
where 
appropriate: 
strengthening 
mechanisms 
which 
can 
ensure 
the 
territorial 
coordination 
of 
its 
interventions; 
improving 
the 
territorial 
dimension 
of 
all 
steps 
of 
strategic 
programming, 
evaluation 
and 
monitoring 
activities; 
ensuring 
scope 
for 
integrated 
place-based 
programmes 
and 
projects, 
and 
integrating 
different 
funds 
in 
regional 
strategies. 
(47) 
We 
encourage 
the 
adjustment 
of 
strategies 
and 
programmes 
to 
adequately 
reflect 
the 
specificities 
of 
the 
diverse 
territories. 
Future 
strategic 
policy 
documents 
and 
programmes 
should 
integrate 
territorial 
considerations 
taking 
into 
account 
the 
priorities 
of 
the 
TA2020. 
We 
support 
the 
development 
of 
experimental 
approaches 
to 
integrated 
local 
development 
in 
diverse 
territorial 
contexts. 
Where 
appropriate 
regional 
and 
local 
actors 
should 
be 
involved 
in 
the 
programming 
process. 
1. 
Strengthening 
territorial 
cohesion 
at 
EU 
level 
(48) 
We 
ask 
the 
EU 
institutions, 
when 
they 
participate 
in 
the 
design 
and 
implementation 
of 
EU 
policies, 
to 
take 
into 
account 
the 
principles 
of 
the 
TA2020 
and 
to 
share 
them 
with 
their 
stakeholders 
and 
networks. 
(49) 
We 
stress 
that 
improved 
monitoring 
and 
evaluation 
at 
EU 
level 
of 
territorial 
development 
and 
the 
performance 
of 
territorial 
cohesion 
efforts 
should 
be 
developed 
while 
ensuring 
that 
the 
administrative 
burden 
on 
Member 
States 
should 
not 
increase. 
The 
existing 
assessment, 
monitoring 
and 
evaluation 
practices 
and 
requirements 
of 
the 
EU, 
including 
those 
for 
Structural 
and 
Cohesion 
Funds 
and 
implementation 
of 
the 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy, 
should 
incorporate 
relevant 
territorial 
considerations. 
(50) 
Integrated 
impact 
assessments 
for 
all 
significant 
EU 
policies 
and 
programmes 
should 
continue 
to 
be 
developed 
based 
on 
stakeholder 
inputs. 
In 
order 
to 
strengthen 
the 
territorial 
dimension 
of 
impact 
assessment 
carried 
out 
by 
the 
European 
Commission 
prior 
to 
any 
legislative 
initiative, 
we 
call 
upon 
the 
European 
Commission 
to 
take 
territorial 
matters 
into 
account 
in 
these 
impact 
assessments, 
and 
we 
ask 
the 
Committee 
of 
the 
Regions 
to 
provide 
input 
from 
regional 
and 
local 
authorities. 
(51) 
We 
stress 
that 
a 
strong 
methodological 
support 
and 
a 
comprehensive 
territorial 
knowledge 
base 
are 
required 
to 
inform 
EU 
level 
policy-making 
process. 
A 
range 
of 
bodies 
can 
deliver 
valuable 
contributions 
in 
this 
respect. 
We 
suggest 
that 
the 
ESPON 
programme 
should 
take 
into 
account 
the 
priorities 
and 
challenges 
of 
TA2020 
in 
its 
research 
activity. 
In 
addition, 
the 
stronger 
focus 
on 
territorial 
cohesion 
and 
the 
wish 
to 
contribute 
to 
the 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy 
will 
require 
further 
knowledge 
and 
methodological 
support 
to 
stakeholders. 
The 
current 
status, 
role 
and 
outputs 
of 
the 
ESPON 
Programme 
should 
be 
adapted 
to 
the 
future 
period 
in 
agreement 
with 
the 
European 
Commission 
to 
better 
serve 
European 
policy-making 
related 
to 
territorial 
development 
and 
cohesion. 
2. 
Contributing 
to 
territorial 
cohesion 
at 
cross-border, 
transnational, 
and 
inter-regional 
level 
(52) 
We 
recognise 
that 
actions 
at 
the 
cross-border, 
transnational 
and 
inter-regional 
level 
have 
a 
pivotal 
role 
to 
play 
in 
the 
implementation 
of 
territorial 
priorities 
of 
the 
TA2020. 
European 
territorial 
cooperation 
9 



Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


has 
revealed 
a 
considerable 
mobilisation 
of 
potential 
of 
those 
cities 
and 
regions 
involved. 
Nevertheless, 
there 
remains 
room 
for 
improvement, 
especially 
to 
ensure 
that 
operations 
contribute 
to 
genuine 
territorial 
integration 
by 
promoting 
the 
sustainable 
enlargement 
of 
markets 
for 
workers, 
consumers 
and 
SMEs, 
and 
more 
efficient 
access 
to 
private 
and 
public 
services. 
In 
this 
regard 
we 
emphasize 
the 
importance 
of 
flexible 
territorial 
programming, 
which 
allows 
co-operation 
activities 
with 
different 
territorial 
scope 
to 
be 
flexible 
enough 
to 
address 
regional 
specificities. 


(53) 
We 
recommend 
that 
territorial 
cooperation 
initiatives 
should 
be 
geared 
towards 
the 
long 
term 
objectives 
of 
territorial 
cohesion 
building 
on 
the 
experience 
of 
former 
B 
strand 
of 
INTERREG 
Community 
Initiative 
and 
current 
transnational 
programmes. 
Integrated 
macro-regional 
strategies 
– 
as 
currently 
pioneered 
in 
the 
Baltic 
Sea 
and 
the 
Danube 
regions 
– 
could 
also 
contribute 
in 
this 
respect. 
Thus 
we 
recommend 
that 
this 
approach 
is 
further 
encouraged 
on 
the 
basis 
of 
evaluations 
of 
the 
results 
achieved 
by 
the 
European 
macro-regional 
strategies 
under 
implementation. 
(54) 
We 
underline 
the 
specific 
added 
value 
of 
and 
support 
the 
European 
instruments 
promoting 
exchange 
of 
good 
practices 
as 
well 
as 
innovative 
projects 
and 
the 
transfer 
of 
knowledge 
between 
participating 
organisations, 
such 
as 
the 
networking 
and 
interregional 
programmes 
(INTERREG 
IVC, 
INTERACT, 
URBACT). 
(55) 
Maritime 
activities 
are 
essential 
for 
territorial 
cohesion 
in 
Europe. 
Economic 
activities 
such 
as 
energy 
production 
and 
transport 
are 
increasing 
rapidly 
in 
European 
marine 
environments. 
There 
is 
a 
need 
to 
solve 
user 
conflicts 
and 
balance 
various 
interests 
by 
cooperation 
in 
maritime 
spatial 
planning. 
The 
Marine 
Strategy 
Framework 
Directive 
and 
EU 
Integrated 
Maritime 
Policy 
calls 
for 
coordinated 
actions 
from 
Member 
States 
on 
maritime 
spatial 
planning. 
Such 
planning 
should 
be 
integrated 
into 
the 
existing 
planning 
systems 
to 
enable 
harmonious 
and 
sustainable 
development 
of 
a 
land-sea 
continuum. 
(56) 
Building 
on 
recent 
experiences, 
where 
appropriate 
full 
advantage 
should 
be 
taken 
of 
the 
new 
opportunities 
offered 
by 
the 
legal 
instrument 
of 
European 
Grouping 
for 
Territorial 
Cooperation 
(EGTC). 
Furthermore, 
voluntary 
coordination 
of 
planning 
activities 
along 
borders 
within 
the 
framework 
of 
an 
EGTC 
should 
be 
explored 
where 
it 
is 
perceived 
as 
an 
added 
value. 
(57) 
We 
welcome 
all 
initiatives 
coming 
from 
public 
authorities 
at 
diverse 
levels, 
contributing 
to 
develop 
long 
term 
territorial 
strategies 
across 
borders, 
and 
ask 
European 
Commission 
to 
provide 
its 
support 
where 
necessary. 
3. 
Strengthening 
Member 
States’ 
contribution 
to 
territorial 
cohesion 
(58) 
We 
recall 
that 
in 
the 
national 
context 
the 
main 
task 
of 
national, 
regional 
and 
local 
authorities 
is 
to 
define 
the 
tailored 
concepts, 
goals 
and 
tools 
for 
enhancing 
territorial 
development 
based 
on 
the 
subsidiarity 
principle 
and 
the 
place-based 
approach 
in 
line 
with 
the 
EU 
level 
approach 
and 
actions. 
It 
is 
up 
to 
the 
authorities 
in 
Member 
States 
to 
determine 
their 
own 
strategies 
and 
the 
relevant 
measures 
they 
intend 
to 
apply, 
which 
will 
depend 
on 
their 
own 
geographical 
specificities, 
political 
culture, 
legal 
and 
administrative 
system. 
(59) 
We 
encourage 
Member 
States 
to 
integrate 
the 
principles 
of 
territorial 
cohesion 
into 
their 
own 
national 
sectoral 
and 
integrated 
development 
policies 
and 
spatial 
planning 
mechanisms. 
Authorities 
responsible 
for 
territorial 
development 
policy 
at 
national, 
regional 
and 
local 
levels 
should 
contribute 
through 
their 
own 
action 
plans 
to 
strengthening 
territorial 
cohesion 
as 
appropriate. 
(60) 
Consideration 
of 
territorial 
impacts 
and 
the 
territorial 
coordination 
of 
policies 
are 
particularly 
important 
at 
national 
and 
regional 
levels. 
This 
coordination 
should 
be 
supported 
by 
territorially 
sensitive 
evaluation 
and 
monitoring 
practices, 
further 
strengthening 
the 
contribution 
of 
territorial 
analysis 
to 
impact 
assessments. 
These 
territorial 
aspects 
could 
be 
integrated 
into 
regular 
national 
and 
European 
reports 
and 
evaluations 
related 
to 
Cohesion 
Policy 
and 
Europe 
2020 
Strategy, 
avoiding 
unnecessary 
bureaucracy. 
(61) 
We 
encourage 
regions 
and 
cities 
to 
develop 
and 
adopt 
integrated 
strategies 
and 
spatial 
plans 
as 
appropriate 
to 
increase 
the 
efficiency 
of 
all 
interventions 
in 
the 
given 
territory. 
Besides 
coordination 
and 
planning 
mechanisms, 
awareness 
raising 
and 
provision 
of 
territorial 
information 
and 
methodological 
10 



Territorial 
Agenda 
2020 -Towards 
an 
Inclusive, 
Smart 
and 
Sustainable 
Europe 
of 
Diverse 
Regions 


support 
is 
essential 
in 
this 
respect. 
We 
welcome 
the 
elaboration 
of 
the 
European 
Reference 
Framework 
for 
Sustainable 
Cities 
as 
an 
open 
and 
flexible 
tool 
to 
help 
the 
cities 
to 
set 
up 
a 
more 
sustainable 
and 
inclusive 
development. 


(62) 
We 
encourage 
Member 
States 
to 
strengthen 
the 
provision 
of 
regional 
and 
urban 
data 
relevant 
for 
territorial 
development 
and 
cohesion 
that 
can 
be 
delivered 
to 
the 
European 
Commission 
and 
be 
processed 
into 
European 
datasets 
with 
methodologically 
sound 
and 
comparable 
information. 
We 
encourage 
the 
European 
Commission 
to 
strengthen 
the 
production 
of 
European 
regional 
and 
urban 
data 
of 
relevance 
for 
territorial 
development 
and 
cohesion. 
This 
would 
improve 
the 
work 
of 
national 
and 
European 
Institutions. 
Guidelines 
for 
future 
actions 


(63) 
We 
consider 
the 
following 
actions 
to 
be 
important 
and 
request 
them 
to 
be 
implemented 
in 
the 
near 
future 
in 
order 
to 
incorporate 
territorial 
priorities 
of 
the 
TA2020 
in 
political 
debates 
and 
decision 
making 
processes 
at 
the 
EU 
level 
and 
in 
Member 
States. 
(64) 
We 
ask 
the 
coming 
presidencies 
and 
the 
EU 
Institutions 
to 
support 
the 
implementation 
of 
the 
TA2020 
with 
adequate 
tools 
and 
actions. 
For 
this 
purpose, 
regular 
meetings 
should 
be 
organised 
with 
representatives 
of 
these 
institutions. 
(65) 
We 
ask 
future 
EU 
Presidencies 
to 
continue 
the 
coordination 
of 
the 
Network 
of 
Territorial 
Cohesion 
Contact 
Points 
(NTCCP) 
which 
plays 
an 
important 
role 
in 
strengthening 
cooperation 
among 
Member 
States 
in 
the 
field 
of 
territorial 
cohesion. 
It 
should 
also 
increase 
cooperation 
with 
European 
institutions 
as 
well 
as 
with 
other 
stakeholders 
including 
intergovernmental 
organisations. 
(66) 
We 
believe 
that 
for 
the 
effective 
implementation 
of 
the 
TA2020 
we 
need 
a 
framework 
for 
concrete 
actions 
and 
expected 
tangible 
results. 
We 
request 
upcoming 
presidencies 
in 
close 
cooperation 
with 
the 
European 
Commission 
to 
identify 
the 
method 
and 
actions 
needed 
to 
implement 
the 
TA2020, 
building 
on 
the 
assessment 
from 
the 
Swedish 
Presidency. 
(67) 
We 
commit 
ourselves 
to 
disseminate 
and 
promote 
the 
TA2020 
in 
our 
states 
amongst 
the 
relevant 
stakeholders. 
We 
ask 
the 
Polish 
Presidency 
and 
European 
Commission 
to 
support 
European-level 
communication 
of 
the 
document. 
The 
coming 
presidencies 
should 
elaborate 
and 
coordinate 
a 
communication 
strategy 
for 
the 
successful 
implementation 
of 
the 
TA2020. 
(68) 
We 
support 
sharing 
best 
practices 
and 
developing 
common 
methodologies 
to 
foster 
territorial 
cohesion. 
We 
welcome 
the 
Territorial 
Agenda 
Annual 
Conferences, 
initiated 
by 
the 
Belgian 
Presidency, 
and 
ask 
the 
coming 
Presidencies 
to 
organise 
the 
conference 
regularly. 
(69) 
We 
ask 
the 
European 
Commission 
to 
present 
an 
overview 
of 
the 
available 
and 
missing 
territorial 
indicators 
and 
formulate 
recommendations 
for 
improvements, 
particular 
in 
light 
of 
the 
issues 
related 
to 
territorial 
cohesion. 
(70) 
We 
agree 
to 
improve 
the 
monitoring 
of 
territorial 
trends, 
and 
ask 
the 
European 
Commission 
and 
the 
ESPON 
Programme, 
Member 
States 
and 
other 
institutions 
such 
as 
the 
European 
Environment 
Agency 
on 
the 
environmental 
aspects 
to 
contribute 
to 
this 
aim. 
(71) 
We 
ask 
the 
Latvian 
(2015) 
and 
Luxembourgish 
(2015) 
Presidencies 
to 
evaluate 
and 
consider 
whether 
the 
TA2020 
should 
be 
reviewed, 
taking 
account 
of 
how 
it 
works 
in 
practice. 
We 
ask 
that 
the 
Dutch 
(2016) 
and 
Slovak 
(2016) 
Presidencies 
lead 
any 
review 
as 
necessary. 
11 



