On 28 February 2013, Brussels was the venue of the first Dialogue between Commissioners and the Mayors of EU capitals. The meeting, hosted by the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn, was attended by Mayor Zoran Janković.

The goal of the meeting was to encourage dialogue between the Mayors of European capitals and their dialogue with the European Commission and to involve them in meeting the objectives in the growth plan in the Europe 2020 economic strategy.
In their discussions, Mayor Zoran Janković stressed the key role of European capitals in confronting challenges and seeking new paths to future development. He emphasised the importance of the exchange of experiences and good practice, which can accelerate the development of cities and regions. Public assets and goods such as water should not be allowed to fall into private hands and we also need to strengthen and preserve public health and education. In the Mayor's opinion, cities are a key interface as they are close to the people and, in practice, familiar with the needs, aspirations and concerns of their residents. He stressed that the main challenge for cities remains care for people's social welfare so it is necessary to promote the implementation of projects that are important for the city. He highlighted the importance of mutual co-operation and the strengthening of intercultural dialogue, where it is possible to live together and respect diversity. We are adhering to this in Ljubljana too.
Commissioner Johannes Hahn called on the Mayors to play a leading role in efforts for economic growth and revival, as he is an advocate of a more visible role for capitals as European economic and social drivers and for the better integration of the urban dimension into cohesion policies and every EU policy.
The meeting was attended by the Mayors of 20 European capitals, who on this occasion also prepared a Declaration on the central role of cities as drivers of inclusive, smart and sustainable growth. In it, the Mayors emphasised that Europe's capital cities are carriers of innovation and smart growth and often provide the basis for educational and scientific networks. There is an urgent necessity for sustainable growth, as their transport, energy and environmental policies are crucial. They affirmed their commitment to continue to contribute to promoting competitiveness, sustainable growth, innovation and inclusivity to overcome the current economic, financial and social crisis. They expressed the opinion that future EU policies and measures in the fields of transport, the environment, energy, entrepreneurship, employment, research, climate action, the fight against poverty and social exclusion and the Digital Agenda must also take into account the urban dimension. The Mayors welcomed further dialogue with the European Commission and supported the Commission's proposals for greater transfers of administrative competences to city level, including the management of EU structural funds, because they believe that this will enable a good understanding of urban challenges and practical implementation that corresponds to actual needs.