Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION On the European Capital of Culture event for the year 2008

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Decision no 1419/1999/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 May 1999 establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2005 to 2019 [1], lays down the procedure of designation of the European Capital of Cultural from 2005 and onwards.

[1] OJ L 166 of 1.7.1999, p. 1, hereafter "the decision".

According to Article 2 of the decision, one city of a Member State is designated as European Capital of Culture, in turn, according to the chronological order set out in Annex I to the decision.

The nomination or nominations are notified to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions by the Member State concerned no later than four years before the event in question is due to begin.

The Commission, each year, forms a selection panel which issues a report on the nomination or nominations judged against the objectives and characteristics of this action. The selection panel is composed of leading independent figures who are experts on the cultural sector. The selection panel submits its report to the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council.

The European Parliament may forward an opinion to the Commission on the nomination(s) no later than 3 months after receipt of the report. For 2008, the European Parliament has explicitly stated that it does not intend to forward an opinion [2].

[2] See « Report on the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision 1419/1999/EC », Rapporteur Michel Rocard, PE 334.052, Explanatory Memorandum, page 10.

The Council, acting on a recommendation from the Commission drawn up in the light of the selection panel's report, officially designates the city in question as a European Capital of Culture for the year for which it has been nominated.

Moreover, according to Article 4, "European non member states countries may participate in this action. Any such country may nominate one city as a European Capital of Culture and should notify its nomination to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions"

In accordance with article 2 and Annex I, the United Kingdom notified, before the end of 2003, the nomination of Liverpool.

Concurrently, in accordance with Article 4, Norway notified the nomination of Stavanger.

The selection panel met on 25th February 2004 to examine both nominations. This examination included hearings of representatives from Liverpool and Stavanger. The panel submitted its report to the Commission on the 4th of March 2004 ; on the request of the panel,the Commission forwarded it to the other Institutions.

On the basis of an overall evaluation of, and the panel's recommendations to the applications from both the nominated cities, the panel - while asking for some improvement in the areas commented upon in the report - agreed unanimously to recommend to the Institutions of the European Union that Liverpool and Stavanger host the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Moreover, the panel issued some general considerations concerning a possible reform of the Decision 1419/1999/EC. The Commission takes note of these considerations with interest, as they make a useful contribution to the on going debate on this issue.

In conclusion, the Commission, in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3 and Article 4 of Decision 1419/1999/EC submits to the Council the appended recommendation for the official designation of Liverpool and Stavanger respectively for the European Capital of Culture event 2008.

Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION On the European Capital of Culture event for the year 2008

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to decision no 1419/1999/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 May 1999 establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2005 to 2019 [3], and in particular its article 2.3,

[3] OJ L 166 of 1.7.1999, p. 1.

Having regard to the Selection Panel report of February 2004 submitted to the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council in accordance with Article 2 paragraph 2 of Decision 1419/1999/EC,

Considering that the criteria laid down in article 3 and annex II of the decision 1419/1999/EC are entirely fulfilled,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission of the ----------------- 2004,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Liverpool is designated as "European Capital of Culture 2008" in accordance with Article 2 paragraph 1 of Decision 1419/1999/EC.

Article 2

Stavanger is designated as a "European Capital of Culture 2008" in accordance with Article 4 Decision 1419/1999/EC.

Article 3

Both cities designated shall take the necessary measures in order to ensure the effective implementation of Articles 1 and 5 of Decision 1419/1999/EC.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President