23e vergadering commissie ECON en conferentie, Druskininkai - Hoofdinhoud

Full agenda of the 23rd external ECON meeting and conference

For the attention of the members of the Commission for Economic Policy

23rd meeting of the ECON Commission and conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local level: how cities and regions contribute to sustainable economic growth, on Monday 6 May and Tuesday 7 May 2019, in Druskininkai, Lithuania.

Dear colleagues,

The ECON Commission will hold its external meeting and conference in Druskininkai (LT) at the invitation of Ričardas Malinauskas (LT/PES), mayor of Druskininkai, Arnoldas Abramavičius (LT/EPP), member of Zarasai District Municipal Council, and the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania.

In this document, you will find the draft agenda for the ECON meeting, the programme for both days, as well as relevant practical information.

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  Please book your accommodation before midnight on Sunday 7 April to ensure that you find a room at one of the venue hotels (see detailed information below).

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  Please register for the ECON commission meeting/conference at https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/2019EconMeetingLithuania before midnight on Sunday 14 April.

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  Please confirm or delegate your presence via the Members' Portal at https://memportal.cor.europa.eu/ before midnight on Sunday 5 May.

  In accordance with Rule 66(1) of the Rules of Procedure, the deadline for tabling amendments for the draft opinions to be discussed at the meeting is set at 3 p.m. (Brussels time) on Thursday 11 April.

  I look forward to seeing you in Lithuania.

  Yours sincerely,

  Olga Zrihen

   

  Programme

  Venue: Grand SPA Lietuva, V. Kudirkos g. 45, LT-6612, Druskininkai

  Sunday 5 May 2019

  Arrival in Druskininkai

  Monday 6 May 2019

  8.30 a.m. Registration and welcome coffee

  9 a.m. Meetings of the Political Groups

  9.30 a.m. Meeting of the Political Coordinators

  10 a.m. Meeting of the ECON Commission

  1.30 p.m. Lunch

  3 p.m. Study visits

  7 p.m. Official dinner (Restaurant "Keturi Vėjai", Lietuva Hotel)

  Tuesday 7 May 2019

  9 a.m. Registration and welcome coffee

  9.30 a.m. Conference on "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local level: How cities and regions contribute to sustainable economic growth"

  12.30 p.m. Lunch

  1.45 p.m. Departure of shuttles to Vilnius

   

  Notice of Meeting of the ECON Commission

   

  Meeting No	23
  Chair	Olga Zrihen (BE/PES)
  Venue	Nemunas Hall, Conference Centre, Grand SPA Lietuva, V. Kudirkos g. 45, LT-6612, Druskininkai
  Date	Monday, 6 May from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
  Amendment deadline	Thursday, 11 April at 3 p.m. (Brussels time)
  Deadline for submitting a delegation of presence	Sunday, 5 May at midnight (Brussels time)

  9 a.m. Meeting of the Political Groups (all in the Conference Centre)

  PES group in Room Neris

  EPP group in Room M. K. Čiurlionio sale

  ALDE group in Room Ūla

  ECR group in Room Ratnyčėlė

  EA group in Room Minija

  9.30 a.m. The political coordinators meeting will be held in camera (Nemunas Hall)

  10 a.m. ECON Commission meeting (Nemunas Hall)

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  Adoption of the draft agenda

  COR-2019-00719-00-02-CONVPOJ

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  Approval of the minutes of the 22nd meeting

  COR-2019-00720-00-00-PV

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  Organisation of future work

  For decision

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  Ongoing work programme and decision on attributions by the President

  COR-2019-00721-00-00-TCD

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  Opinions on the basis of consultations - Rule 41 a)

  Appointment of rapporteurs

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  Own-initiative opinions on the basis of European Commission documents - Rule 41 b) i)

  Decision to draw up an opinion

  Appointment of rapporteurs

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  Own-initiative opinions - Rule 41 b) ii)

  Decision to request Bureau authorisation for an opinion

  Provisional appointment of rapporteurs

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  Decisions not to draw up an opinion (tbc)

  For information

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  Written statement from the Chair

  COR-2019-00722-00-00-TCD

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  Follow-up to opinions (on the Members Portal only)

  COR-2019-00723-00-01-TCD

  For adoption

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  Opinions - Adoption

   

  	Title	Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): a basis for a long-term EU strategy for a sustainable Europe by 2030
  	Rapporteur	Arnoldas Abramavičius (LT/EPP)
  	Commission document	COM(2019) 22 final
  	Document	COR-2019-00239-00-00-PA
  	Type of opinion	Own-initiative
  	Dossier	ECON-VI/44
  	Statement by	representatives from all CoR commissions
  	Adoption in plenary session	26-27 June 2019

   

  	Title	Towards a more efficient and democratic decision making in EU tax policy
  	Rapporteur Commission document	Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES) COM(2019) 8 final
  	Document	COR-2019-00845-00-01-PA
  	Type of opinion	Own-initiative
  	Dossier	ECON-VI/045
  	Statement by	Wolfgang Mederer, Head of Unit, Taxud D3, Legal Affairs - direct taxation, European Commission
  	Adoption in plenary session	26-27 June 2019

   

  	Title	A place-based approach to EU industrial policy
  	Rapporteur	Jeannette Baljeu (NL/ALDE)
  	Document	COR-2018-05941-00-01-PA
  	Type of opinion	Own-initiative
  	Dossier	ECON-VI/042
  	Adoption in plenary session	26-27 June 2019

  For discussion

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  Exchange of views on the proposals of the CoR for the new European Union legislative mandate 2019-2024

  COR-2019-01354-00-01-TCD

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  Any other business

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  Confirmation of the date of the next meeting: Tuesday, 9 July 2019 in Brussels

  1.30 p.m. End of meeting

   

  Working languages	23	BG/ES/CS/DA/DE/ET/EL/EN/FR/HR/IT/LV/LT/HU/MT/NL/PL/PT/RO/SK/SL/FI/SV
  Participants may speak in	12	ES/DE/ET/EL/EN/FR/IT/LV/LT/NL/PL/FI (tbc)
  Participants may listen in	10	DE/EL/EN/FR/IT/LV/LT/NL/PL/FI (tbc)

  Amendments must be submitted through the online tool for tabling amendments (available on the Members' Portal at: https://memportal.cor.europa.eu/).

  N.B. Only members of this commission and alternates delegated to attend the meeting will be entitled to travel and subsistence payments.

  Members are asked to use the online system for delegation of presence and voting rights in order to confirm their attendance at the meeting or to notify the secretariat of any delegation of presence to another member or alternate under Rule 5(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The online system is accessible through the Members' Portal on the CoR main website.

  This agenda is sent to all members of the ECON commission for information. Please be aware that your participation (or delegation to participate), and entitlement to any payment or reimbursement, are subject to the validity of your mandate as member of the Committee of the Regions at the time of the meeting.

  Helpdesk (+32-2-546-9697; email: helpdesk@cor.europa.eu) will be happy to provide any further assistance you may need.

   

  Conference on

  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local level:

  How cities and regions contribute to sustainable economic growth

  Tuesday 7 May

  A sustainable economic growth model in Europe cannot be achieved without cities and regions. Indeed, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have targets directly related to the responsibilities of local and regional authorities (LRAs) and some estimates show that two thirds of the 169 targets underpinning the 17 SDGs cannot be reached without engagement of - and coordination with - local and regional governments. This conference will explore how cities and regions can contribute to sustainable economic growth: through the SDGs as a framework to deliver a sustainable Europe by 2030, and by learning from good practices in Lithuania but also across Europe.

  Venue: Nemunas Hall, Conference Centre, Grand SPA Lietuva, Conference Center, V. Kudirkos g. 45, LT-6612, Druskininkai, Lithuania

  9 a.m. Registration and welcome coffee

  9.30 a.m. Opening Statement: Sustainable development in Druskininkai

  Ričardas Malinauskas (LT/PES), President of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, Mayor of Druskininkai, ECON member

  9.40 a.m. EU Agenda for a Sustainable Europe by 2030

  Arnoldas Abramavičius (LT/EPP), ECON First Vice-Chair, CoR rapporteur

  Peter Schmidt, President of the Sustainable Development Observatory, European Economic and Social Committee

  10.25 a.m. Delivering the SDGs in Lithuania and Latvia: challenges and future directions

  Marius Narmontas, Head of Construction and Territorial Planning Policy Group, Lithuanian Ministry of Environment

  Mudite Priede, Secretary-General of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Government

  10.45 a.m. Coffee break

  11.15 a.m. Panel debate: Territorialising the SDGS across the EU

  Moderator Roma Zakaitiene, Director of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania

  Panellists Markku Markkula, Chair of Espoo City Board (FI), CoR First Vice-President

  Arnau Queralt i Bassa, Director of the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of Catalonia (ES)

  Stefano Pisani, Mayor of Pollica (IT), President of Cittaslow

  Ingeborg Niestroy, Researcher, Public Strategy for Sustainable Development (ps4sd)

  12.20 p.m. Closing remarks

  Arnoldas Abramavičius (LT/EPP), ECON First Vice-Chair, CoR rapporteur

  12.30 p.m. Lunch

  1.45 p.m. Departure - Shuttles to Vilnius Airport

  Practical Information

  23rd meeting of the ECON Commission and conference

  on Monday 6 May and Tuesday 7 May 2019 in Druskininkai, Lithuania

  Accommodation

  The Grand Spa Lietuva (see next page for map) has held a number of rooms in their 3 hotels, with discounted rates, for ECON participants, until Sunday 7 April. After this date, room availability and rate cannot be guaranteed.

  IMPORTANT - Payment and cancellation policy of the Grand SPA Lietuva hotels

  The reservation is guaranteed with an advance payment equal to 50% of the total cost indicated in the confirmation letter. The advance payment must be made no later than 3 days after receiving the confirmation letter. If the reservation is made later than 3 days prior to arrival, the advance payment must be paid on the same day. No prices or hotel availability are guaranteed until the payment is received.

  A cancellation fee equal to 6 % of the advance payment is applied for cancellation of a reservation notified no later than 48 hours prior to noon on the expected date of arrival.

  In case the guaranteed reservation is cancelled later than 48 hours prior to noon on the expected date of arrival or the guests do not arrive, a cancellation fee equal to 100% of one night accommodation price including VAT will be applied. The advance payment minus the amount of the cancellation fee will be refunded.

  To book, please go to the hotel webpage (available in EN/LT/RU) at

  https://booking.grandspa.lt/packet/?hidden_key=990tc91uwocozvq9vshj&id=45〈=en

  Deadline for booking: Midnight on Sunday 7 April

   

  Hotel name	Price per night Includes breakfast (buffet style) and unlimited visit to the Aqua park and gym
  Hotel Lietuva 3* Plus 70 rooms prebooked	1 person (SNG room) € 51.92 + € 1 city tax 2 persons (DBL/TWIN room) € 66.88 + € 2 city tax 1 person (MLUX room) € 76.56 + € 1 city tax 2 persons (MLUX room) € 91.52 + € 2 city tax
  Hotel Druskininkai 4* 17 rooms prebooked	1 person (SNG room) € 67.50 + € 1 city tax 1 person (MLUX room) € 90.00 + € 1 city tax 2 persons (MLUX room) € 107.10 + € 2 city tax 1 person (LUX room) € 126.00 + € 1 city tax 2 persons (LUX room) € 143.10 + € 2 city tax
  Aparthotel Dzūkija 4* 6 rooms prebooked	1 person (SNG room) € 110.00 + € 1 city tax 2 persons (DBL room) € 125.84 + € 2 city tax

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  Hotel Lietuva, and restaurant Keturi Vėjai on the 8th floor

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  Conference centre

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  Hotel Druskininkai

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  Restaurant of the Hotel Druskininkai

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  Aparthotel Dzūkija

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  Spa

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  Aqua Park

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  Mineral water pump-room

  Study visits

  In the afternoon of Monday 6 May, city tours will be organised. Please select in the registration survey which one you would like to take part in. Each tour lasts 2 hours.

  Option 1 - City Tour including:

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    Neogothic church of the Blessed Virgin Mary - beautiful, red brick catholic church from the 1840s.

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    Druskininkai Town Museum, Villa Linksma - the most photographed landmark in Druskininkai.

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    The pedestrian street (Vilnius al.) with unique sculptures all along the street.

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    The Joy of All Who Sorrow Church - small but breathtaking Russian Orthodox Church.

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    Druskininkai health resort - mineral water tasting and treatments explanations.

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    Town park and musical fountain - the best choreographed fountain in the Baltics.

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    The spring of beauty - the saltiest and deepest spring in Druskininkai.

  Option 2 - City tour in the 19th Century

  Guides dressed in 19th century costumes, the "golden" period of the resort.

  Same programme as Option 1.

  Option 3 - Theatrical tour: "The Mineral Town"

  City tour with actors and translators. It is a romantic, gorgeous walk in 19th century Druskininkai. From dancing Poloneza to tasting curd cheese from the local Tartar farm. During this tour, you will discover the resort's magic, learn where and how the mineral streams were found, and the secret of eternal youth and beauty. You will hear the history of the town and its romantic love stories. On the way you will discover the pearls of the resort's architecture, enjoy its landscape and attractions, and hear the stories of its most outstanding personalities.

  Interpreting for Monday 6 May

  ECON Political Coordinators meeting

  Simultaneous interpreting

  Participants may speak and listen in EN/FR/IT/NL/PL

  ECON Commission meeting

  Simultaneous interpreting

  Participants may speak and listen in DE/EL/EN/FR/IT/LV/LT/NL/PL/FI

  Participants may also speak but not listen in ES/ET

  Study visits

  The city tours will be conducted in EN only

  Interpreting for Tuesday 7 May

  Conference

  Simultaneous interpreting

  Participants may speak and listen in DE/EN/FR/IT/LV/LT/PL/FI

  Participants may also speak but not listen in ES/ET

  Press Point (tbc)

  Consecutive interpreting

  Participants may speak and listen in EN/LT

  Contact information

  For questions regarding the ECON Commission meeting and conference, you may reach the ECON secretariat at econ@cor.europa.eu

  During 3-7 May, please contact us as follows:

   

  		Mobile number	Languages
  Bert Kuby, Head of Unit	bert.kuby@cor.europa.eu	00 32 473 538 157	EN, DE, FR
  Nils Brunelet, Administrator	nils.brunelet@cor.europa.eu	00 32 489 842 825	EN, FR
  Claudia Moser, Administrator	claudia.moser@cor.europa.eu	00 32 476 058 544	EN, DE, FR
  Cécile Eclache, Assistant	cecile.eclache@cor.europa.eu	00 32 495 796 520	ES, EN, FR

  For questions on logistics or transportation in Druskininkai, please contact Ieva Andriulaitytė at bru@lsa.lt or 00 370 618 58 709

  Reaching Druskininkai from Vilnius airport

  See map of Vilnius Airport at https://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/planning-a-trip/airport-scheme/

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  By shuttle - recommended option

  The host will organise shuttle buses according to participants' arrival time, from Vilnius Airport to Druskininkai on Sunday 5 May, and from Druskininkai to Vilnius Airport after the conference on Tuesday 7 May. A few days before the meeting, we will email all participants with the detailed shuttle schedule. Therefore, please make sure to provide us with 1/ your exact travel information 2/ your email address and 3/ your mobile phone number.

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  By car

  You may rent a car at the airport. The drive to Druskininkai is 125 kilometres and takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. See information on car rental at Vilnius Airport at https://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/planning-a-trip/car-rental/

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  By bus

  From Vilnius Airport to Vilnius Bus Station

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  You can take a taxi to Vilnius Bus Station, it will take about 5 minutes.

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  The company Toks provides a shuttle bus that runs between Vilnius Airport and the Vilnius Bus Station (located at Sodu str 22). The bus stop is located is next to the terminal, near Arrival Hall C. Travel time is about 8 minutes each way. Ticket price is €2. Timetable available at https://toks.lt/en/marsrutai/airport-express/

  From Vilnius Bus Station to Druskininkai Bus Station

  From the Vilnius Bus Station, you can then take an intercity bus from Vilnius to Druskininkai. Travel takes approximately 2 hours. Ticket price is about €12. Timetable available at https://www.autobusubilietai.lt/?lang=0

  From Druskininkai Bus Station to the venue (Grand Spa Lietuva)

  The bus station is located 800 meters (a 9-minute walk) from the venue.

  Search online for the itinerary:

  from Druskininku autobusu parkas, Gardino g. 1, Druskininkai 66204, Lithuania

  to UAB GRAND SPA LITHUANIA, V. Kudirkos g. 45, Druskininkai 66120, Lithuania.

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  By train

  There is no direct train from Vilnius to Druskininkai, which makes the trip quite complicated; therefore, the host does not recommend this option. You must first take a train to Valkininkai. The Vilnius Railway Station is located right across from the Vilnius Bus Station. Timetable available at https://www.traukiniobilietas.lt/portal/en. Once you arrive in Valkininkai, you must take a taxi to the Valkininkai Bus Station, located 10 kilometres away. Then you must take a bus to Druskininkai.

  Extending your stay

  Druskininkai is the largest resort in Lithuania, located in the south of the country, 120 km from Vilnius and Kaunas. It is an international resort for active recreation and treatment with highly developed modern service infrastructure: sanatorium treatment, recreation, entertainment and commercial sporting activities. The wide range of available services is suitable for people of all ages.

  Should you decide to extend your stay in Druskininkai, you can find tourism information at http://info.druskininkai.lt/new/en/

  Should you prefer to spend time in Vilnius, you can find tourism information at http://www.vilnius-tourism.lt/en/

  Please note that you must make your own arrangements and bear your own costs in the event of an extended stay.

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  COR-2019-00719-00-03-CONVPOJ-TRA (EN) 18/18