European Capitals of Culture 2007 - 2019

2005/0102(COD)

 The committee adopted the report by Christa PRETS (PES, AT) amending the proposal for a decision establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2007 to 2019. The amendments were the fruit of a compromise negotiated with the Commission and Council with a view to completing the procedure at first reading:

- it was specified that, during the proposed monitoring phase after the designation, care should be taken "to fulfil the criteria laid down for the cultural programme", and  expert advice and assistance should be provided;

- arrangements should be made for future enlargement phases, so as to clarify the situation of countries currently negotiating their accession and ensure that they are treated equally. The relevant article should therefore specify that cities in Member States "and in countries acceding to the European Union after 31 December 2006" should be entitled to be designated as European Capitals of Culture. Provision should be made for including Romania and Bulgaria in the Annex establishing the list of countries entitled to nominate a European Capital of Culture;

- one amendment specified the composition of the selection panel, proposing that, of the 13 members, two should be from Parliament, two from the Council, two from the Commission and one from the Committee of the Regions, with the remaining six being nominated by the Member State concerned in consultation with the Commission;

- the role of the monitoring and advisory panel should also be clarified;

- the proposed prize which may be awarded to the designated cities by the Commission should be in honour of Melina Mercouri. It should be in the form of a financial allocation and be awarded in full at the latest three months before the start of the relevant year.