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Brussels, 23.10.2007

COM(2007) 636 final

Recommendation for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the European Capital of Culture event for the year 2011

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Decision 1622/2006/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2007 to 2019, [1] lays down the procedure of designation of the European Capitals of Culture. According to Article 2 of this Decision, from 2009 onwards, two cities of two Member States will be designated as European Capitals of Culture, in turn, according to the chronological order set out in the Annex to the Decision.

In accordance with Article 14, the nomination for European Capitals of Culture concerning the year 2011 is submitted to transitional provisions, as follows.

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

The Commission forms a selection panel which issues a report on the 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 nominations no later than 3 months after receipt of the report.

The Council, acting on a recommendation from the Commission drawn up in the light of the selection panel’s report, officially designates the cities in question for the year for which they have been nominated.

In accordance with article 2 and the Annex, Finland notified the nomination of Turku and Estonia nominated Tallinn for the 2011 title before the end of 2006.

The selection panel met on 4 June 2007 to examine the nominations. This examination included hearings of representatives from the candidate cities. The panel submitted its report to the Commission on 11 June 2007; at the request of the panel, the Commission forwarded the report to the other Institutions.

On the basis of an overall evaluation of the applications the panel – while suggesting some improvements - reached a consensus to recommend to the Institutions of the European Union that Tallinn and Turku host the European Capital of Culture in 2011.

The Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament forwarded a letter to DG EAC on 13 September, as a follow up to the panel’s report which had been received, to highlight the relevant aspects of the exchange of views it had on this matter. In conclusion, the Commission, in accordance with Article 14 of Decision 1622/2006/EC submits to the Council the appended recommendation for the official designation of Turku and Tallinn respectively for the 2011 European Capital of Culture event.

Recommendation for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the European Capital of Culture event for the year 2011

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Decision n° 1622/2006/EC of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2007 to 2019,[2] and in particular its Article14,

Having regard to the Selection Panel report of September 2007 submitted to the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council in accordance with Article 14 paragraph 2 of Decision n° 1622/2006/EC,

Considering that the criteria referred to in Article 14 paragraph 3 of Decision 1622/2006/EC are entirely fulfilled,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission of the [ ] 2007,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Turku and Tallinn are designated as “European Capital of Culture 2011” in accordance with Article 14 of Decision 1622/2006/EC.

Article 2

The designated cities shall take the necessary measures in order to ensure the effective implementation of Article 3 of Decision 1622/2006/EC.

Done at Brussels, […]

For the Council

The President […]

[1] OJ L 304 of 3.11.2006, p. 1.

[2] OJ L 304 of 3.11.2006, p. 1.