WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3127/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS , Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Institution of the cultural capital
Date: 1996-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: EU aid, EU financing, European symbol, Macedonia, cultural event, cultural organisation, cultural policy, draft budget, general budget (EU)













EUR-Lex - 91996E3127 - EN






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91996E3127

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3127/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS , Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Institution of the cultural capital  


Official Journal C 105 , 03/04/1997 P. 0054 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3127/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) and Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (22 November 1996)Subject: Institution of the cultural capitalAccording to statements made by the Minister for the Environment, Planning and Public Works on 24 October 1996, doubts are growing that the organizers of 'Thessaloniki cultural capital 1997' will be able to complete their preparations and have the project ready on time.Given that the Commission contributes funds towards organizing the cultural capital event and that its contribution was in the order of ECU 400 000 for Lisbon and Luxembourg, will it say:1. what the amount of funding is for 'Thessaloniki, cultural capital' and through what channels it is being paid?2. what precise stage has been reached in bringing this cultural event about and into which projects Community funds have been channelled? and3. since the Commission itself is funding the event, what checks it is carrying out on the progress of the cultural facilities projects in Thessaloniki and what its findings are?Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (16 January 1997)The Commission would first point out that the 'European city of culture' event is, at present, an intergovernmental initiative. Cities submit their applications to the Council, which makes its selection by unanimous vote. The choice of the European city of culture is thus a political decision taken by the representatives of the Member States; the Commission provides financial support to organize the event once the city has been designated.Moreover, the Commission would recall that under the resolution of 13 June 1985 on the annual organization of the 'European city of culture', the Member State where the city is situated appoints the body which will be responsible for organizing and financing the event in that country.Here, it is for the Greek authorities to take all the appropriate measures to organize the event.The Commission will be able to specify the amount of Community support for Thessaloniki only when the 1997 budget has been adopted. The Commission's administrative rules require that the contribution be paid on the basis of a detailed statement of estimates which specify the projects forming part of the general programme to receive support.In July 1996, the Commission received the advance programme for Thessaloniki 1997. It will not fail to support the event 'European city of culture' if the Greek authorities submit to it the detailed and final programme of that event accompanied by the documents required for the granting of the Community contribution.