Parliament adopted a legislative report by 584 votes in favour, 22 against and 19 abstentions on the system for choosing 'European Capitals of Culture' and monitoring their progress. The report drafted by Christa PRETS (PES, AT) makes a number of changes to the Commission's proposed reforms of the system. (Please refer to the summary dated 23/02/2006).
It should also be added that, as regards the selection panel, the seven members nominated by the European institutions shall be appointed for a period of three years.
Moreover, an amendment calls for the European Parliament to forward an opinion to the Commission not later than three months after receipt of the nominations of the Member States concerned as opposed to two months as proposed by the Commission.
On the issue of monitoring and advisory panel, this shall be established to monitor the implementation of the objectives and criteria of the action and provide capitals with support and guidance from the time of their designation to the start of the European Capital of Culture event.
The panel shall consist of the seven experts nominated by the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions. In addition, the relevant Member State may nominate an observer to this panel. The cities concerned shall issue progress reports to the Commission three months before the meetings of the panel.
The Commission shall convene the panel and the representatives of the city concerned. The panel shall be convened on two occasions to give advice on, and to take stock of, the preparations for the event with a view to helping cities to develop a high-quality programme with a strong European dimension. Its first meeting shall take place at least two years before the event; its second meeting shall take place at least eight months before the event. After each meeting the panel shall issue a report on the state of preparations for the event and any steps to be taken. The reports shall pay particular attention to the European added-value of the event and the recommendations laid down in the reports of the selection and the monitoring and advisory panels. The reports shall be forwarded to the Commission and to the cities and Member States concerned. They shall also be published on the Commission's website.