On the invitation of European Alliance group Member  Daiva Matoniene (LT/EA), Deputy Mayor of Šiauliai City the the Committee of the Regions' (CoR) EDUC Commission (Commission for Education, Youth, Culture and Research) held its meeting and organised an international conference on "Sport for All - Interregional Cooperation" in Palanga, Lithuania, from 5–6 July. Participants stressed the contribution that the ongoing process of developing the European dimension in sport is bringing to the Europe 2020 Strategy, including by opening up opportunities for sustainable job creation, especially for young people. They called for cities and regions to implement concrete measures to encourage inclusive sport activities for all ages and abilities, and to enhance interregional cooperation.

Ms Daiva Matoniene speaking on the opening the conference

Andrius Kubilius, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, welcomed the CoR members and expressed the intention to continue the fruitful cooperation with the CoR in the second semester of next year, when Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Organised just a few days after the final of UEFA EURO 2012 and in the run-up to the Summer Olympics Games, the conference brought together more than 100 presidents of EU regions and mayors, representatives from Member States and the European Commission, as well as leaders of the grassroots sport movement to address the "Sport for All" principle, its impact on interregional cooperation, and its role in promoting participation and social inclusion in and through sport. Discussions were also particularly timely with the conference taking place in the eve of the "5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games" in Šiauliai.

Daiva Matoniene (LT/EA), Deputy Mayor of Šiauliai City and co-organiser of the event, stressed the significance of the "TAFISA World Sport for All Games" in the EU calendar. She mentioned that the City had to work hard for the opportunity to organise the Games in Lithuania and to attract the attention of the main EU institutions. “I am delighted that the 2012 Games in Šiauliai have been recognised as an important event responding to EU priorities in sport,” she said.

Participants also exchanged experiences about the impact of sport at local and regional level, and shared initiatives launched to promote access to and participation in sport for all. Adam Banaszak (PL/EA), Member of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Assembly explained how sport and regional infrastructure are benefitting from the UEFA EURO 2012. In addition, Fiona O'Loughlin (IE/ALDE), Member of Kildare County Council, pointed out the crucial role played by the Special Olympics to promote sport as a vehicle for ending discrimination and stigma of people with intellectual disabilities.

Participants to the conference agreed on conclusions (attached) on how to further develop "Sport for All" and enhance interregional cooperation which are meant to also feed into the preparation of the future Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of EU next year.

One of the highlight of the programme was the meeting with the Prime Minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius. In his welcoming address, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of physical activities for health, quality of life and the economic growth and welcomed the focus that EDUC Commission has placed on promoting “Sport for All”. While acknowledging the important role of the CoR as the voice of local and regional authorities at the EU level, he also expressed the firm intention to continue the fruitful cooperation with the Committee of the Regions in the coming period.

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