Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION On the designation of the European Capital of Culture 2005

(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 lays down the procedure of designation of the European Capital of Cultural from 2005 and onwards. The decision is now being applied for the first time to designate a European Capital of Culture in Ireland in 2005. For each of the years 2005 to 2019, one of the Member States, following the order set in the annex I of decision 1419, has the possibility of nominating candidate(s) for the European Capital of Culture event. According to Article 2 of the decision 1419, the procedure follows these steps:

1) The Member State in question notifies the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, and the Committee of Regions of their nomination(s) at least four years before the event

2) A selection panel composed of independent experts submits a report on the nominations to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission judged against the criteria for the action

3) After the receipt of the report, the European Parliament may give an opinion on the nomination(s) within a deadline of three months

4) The Commission presents a recommendation to the Council. The recommendation takes the report of the selection panel and the opinion of the European Parliament into consideration.

5) The Council officially designates the European Capital of Culture

As foreseen, Ireland notified the European institutions by the end of 2000 of their nomination of four Irish cities: Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The selection panel submitted its evaluation report in September 2001. The European Parliament presented their opinion on 11 December 2001.

In the conclusion of their report, the selection panel supports the designation of Cork. At the same time, the panel expresses concern about certain aspects of Cork's proposal. The report underlines that Cork has to develop further certain parts of their action in order to fulfil the criteria as set in the decision 1419/1999, article 1 and annex II. In particular, the panel stresses that certain improvements are necessary in order to achieve an event of European scale. Furthermore, the panel points out that certain actions need to be reconsidered, and suggests that Cork, if designated, is requested to submit a progress report including details of how the city is addressing the concerns of the panel.

The opinion of the European Parliament also supports the designation of Cork as the European Capital of Culture 2005. Furthermore, the European Parliament in their opinion also underlines that appropriate steps must be taken to enhance the European dimension of the event. The European Parliament proposes that a dialogue be initiated with the organising authorities in charge of the event in order to ensure that real European added value is achieved.

The Commission is of the opinion that in order to strengthen the European importance of the event these remarks are to be taken seriously. The Commission therefore intends to organise with the authorities of Cork a hearing, in which the Council and the European Parliament take part.

Furthermore, the European Parliament calls upon the Commission to implement Article 6 second paragraph with regard to the modification made necessary by the future enlargement.

Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION On the designation of the European Capital of Culture 2005

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the 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],

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

Having regard to the Selection Panel report received by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission 28 September 2001,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament of 11 December 2001,

Whereas the city designated should take the necessary measures in order to ensure the effective implementation of Articles 1 and 5 of Decision 1419/1999/EC,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The City of Cork is designated as the European Capital of Culture 2005.

Article 2

The City of Cork shall take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of Articles 1 and 5 of Decision 1419/1999/CE.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President