​During the CoR Urban forum held in Amsterdam on the 30th May the European Alliance Group President Mr Stanisław Szwabski welcomed the agreement of the Dutch Presidency of the EU on the Urban Pact of Amsterdam as a starting point to developing an Urban policy which is fit for the 21st Century.  The Pact was signed the same day as the CoR held its Urban forum which brought together key politicians, policy makers and experts to discuss sustainable cities reflecting the needs of their citizens.  The Urban forum also looked at ways to have a better Urban-Rural balance.