Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision for the establishment of a Community action in favour of the 'European City of Culture' event
Date: 1998-05-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU action, European symbol, cultural cooperation, cultural event, town

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 27.05.1998 
COM(1998) 350 final 

97/0290 (COD) 

Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision for the 
establishment of a Community action in favour of the "European  City of 
Culture" event. 

(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article  189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

Explanatory  Memorandum 
European City of Culture 

Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision for the 
establishment of a Community action in favour of the "European City of 
Culture" event. 

1.  On  30  October  1997,  the  Commission  presented  a  proposal  for  a  European 
Parliament  and Council  Decision  for  the establishment  of a Community  action  in 
favour  of the "European City of Culture" event (COM 97/549-97/0290 COD). 

On  30  April  1998,  the  European  Parliament  adopted  a  legislative  resolution 
(A4/0083/98), in which they approve the Commission proposal, subject  to certain 
amendments.1 

This modified  proposal integrates those amendments which have been accepted by 
the  Commission,  during  discussions  with  the  Parliament.  It  is worth  noting  that 
the Commission has, in most cases, accepted the amendments, as suggested. 

2.  Of the amendments  accepted,  some are drafting  changes, some add new  elements 

to the proposal. 

3.  In  a  limited  number  of  cases,  the  Commission  was  not  able  to  include  the 
amendments.  These  concern  four  main  points:  (the  procedure  for  designating 
cities,  the  participation  of  certain  third  countries,  the  ending  of  the  European 
Cultural  Month and the total finance for the initiative), which were not able to be 
incorporated  for the following reasons: 

•  The  procedure  proposed  by  the  Commission,  while  fully  involving  all  of  the 
Community  institutions, was relatively  flexible  in order to  allow  for  the  decision 
to be made within a reasonable amount of time.  A more laborious procedure, such 
as that envisaged by Article  189b would, from  a purely practical point of view, not 
operate  effectively  and  would  hinder  the  functioning  of  the  programme. 
Moreover,  as  the  legal  service  of  the  European  Parliament  has  confirmed,  the 
Commission  proposal  is  legally  correct  in  the  sense  that  "this  is  not  a  measure 
with  any  legislative  function,  but  instead  a  decision  implementing  or  applying  a 
legislative act adopted under the co-decision procedure". 

•  The  Commission  proposal  has  taken  into  account  the  undertakings  and 
agreements  which  bind  the  European  Union  as  regards  the  participation  of 
associated  third  countries  in  Community  programmes.  These  agreements 
envisage  that,  as with  other  Community  programmes,  this  initiative  will  be open 
to  the  countries  of  the  European  Economic  Area,  to  the  associated  countries  of 
central and eastern Europe, to Cyprus and to other European third countries which 

Oral hearing N°268301, page 16 

L 

central and eastern Europe, to Cyprus and to other European third countries which 
have concluded  co-operation  agreements  with the European Union  containing  a 
cultural clause. 

•  The  Commission  planned  to  bring  to  an  end  the  European  Cultural  Month 
because, firstly it did not wish to continue an initiative which, due to its limited 
duration  has  not  had  significant  impact  and  secondly,  and  most  importantly, 
because  the  "European City  of  Culture" was to be opened to the  EEA and CEE 
countries. 

a  The  total  financing  for  the  "European  City  of  Culture"  is  envisaged  in  the 
for  the  establishment  of  a  "Cultural  Framework 

Commission  proposal 
Programme", of which this initiative will be an integral part. 

1 

European Parliament amendments contained in the Commission modified proposal 

1-2-3-4-5-6-11 

Amendments accepted in part 

9 

Amendments not accepted 

7-8-10-12-13-14 

jBttf|f|^'P^fiamettt;and 

*i  ^ 

^ 

- >" 

Proposal for  a 

Ame» 

•ParJ$f?| 

for a'Etffojsëan 

feeîsîim 

Proposal for  a 

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 

COUNCIL DECISION 

COUNCIL DECISION 

establishing a Community  initiative 

establishing a Community  initiative 

for 

for 

"The European City of Culture" event 

"The European City of Culture" event 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION 
Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing 
the  European  Community, 
in 
particular Article  128 thereof, 
Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the 
Commission, 
Having  regard  to  the  Opinion  of  the 
Committee of the Regions, 
Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure 
laid down in Article  189b of the Treaty, 

and 

THE EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION 
Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing 
the  European  Community, 
in 
particular Article  128 thereof, 
Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the 
Commission, 
Having  regard  to  the  Opinion  of  the 
Committee of the Regions, 
Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure 
laid down in Article  189b of the Treaty, 

and 

1/ 
Whereas  Europe  has,  throughout 
its  history,  been  the  site  of  exceptionally 
prolific  and  varied  artistic  activity; 
whereas  urban  life  has  played  a  major 
role  in  the  growth  and  influence  of  the 
European cultures; 

1/ 
Whereas  Europe  has,  throughout 
its  history,  been  the  site  of  exceptionally 
prolific  and  varied  artistic  activity; 
whereas  urban  life  has  played  a  major 
role  in  the  growth  and  influence  of  the 
European cultures; 

(Article  128); 

2/ 
Whereas  the  EC Treaty  gives  the 
Community  competence  in  the  cultural 
all 
field 
Community  activity  designed  to  promote 
the arts should therefore  be placed  on the 
new  legal  basis,  in  accordance  with  the 
objectives  and  means  assigned  to  the 
Community by the Treaty; 

whereas 

(Article  128); 

2/ 
Whereas  the  EC Treaty  gives  the 
Community  competence  in  the  cultural 
all 
field 
Community  activity  designed  to  promote 
the arts should  therefore  be placed  on the 
new  legal  basis,  in  accordance  with  the 
objectives  and  means  assigned  to  the 
Community by the Treaty; 

whereas 

Whereas,  on  13 June  1985,  the 
3/ 
Ministers  responsible  for  cultural  affairs 
meeting  within  the  Council  adopted  a 
annual 
resolution 

concerning 

the 

Whereas,  on  13 June  1985,  the 
3/ 
Ministers  responsible  for  cultural  affairs 
meeting  within  the  Council  adopted  a 
annual 
resolution 

concerning 

the 

organisation  of  the  "European  City  of 
Culture",  the  main  aim  of  which  was  to 
make  certain  cultural  aspects  of  the  city, 
region  or  country  in  question  accessible 
to  the  European  public,  an  event 
for 
the  European  Community  has 
which 
provided  financial  support; 

organisation  of  the  "European  City  of 
Culture",  the  main  aim  of  which  was  to 
make  certain  cultural  aspects  of  the  city, 
region  or  country  in  question  accessible 
to  the  European  public,  an  event  for 
the  European  Community  has 
which 
provided  financial  support; 

in 

on 

Whereas 

Parliament, 

the 
4/ 
discussions  leading  up  to  its  opinion  of 
the  Kaleidoscope 
7 April  1995 
programme,1  asked  the  Commission 
to 
the 
present  a  specific  programme  on 
European  City  of  Culture  after  the  year 
2000  on  the  basis  of  Article  128  of  the 
EC  Treaty; 

in 

on 

Whereas 

Parliament, 

the 
4/ 
discussions  leading  up  to  its  opinion  of 
7 April  1995 
the  Kaleidoscope 
programme,  asked  the  Commission  to 
the 
present  a  specific  programme  on 
European  City  of  Culture  after  the  year 
2000  on  the  basis  of  Article  128  of  the 
EC  Treaty; 

any 

Whereas 

5/ 
Community 
initiative  to  promote  the  "European  City 
of  Culture"  must 
predefined 
objectives  and  use  the  resources  provided 
for  by  the  Treaty 
in  accordance  with 
Article  128; 

satisfy 

any 

Whereas 

5/ 
Community 
initiative  to  promote  the  "European  City 
of  Culture"  must 
predefined 
objectives  and  use  the  resources  provided 
for  by  the  Treaty 
in  accordance  with 
Article  128; 

satisfy 

5/a.  Whereas  the  study  which has  been 
carried  out  of  the  results  achieved  by 
1{uropean Cities  of  Culture  shows  that  the 
event  has  a  positive  impact  in  terms  of 
media 
tourist 
resonance,  cultural  and 
realization  by 
development 
i 11habitants of  the  importance  of  their  city 
having  been  chosen; 

and 

the 

5/h.  Whereas  the  positive  effects  have 
nonetheless  not  always  produced  results 
lasting  beyond  the  duration  of  the  project 
itself  and  whereas  the  attention  of  public 
the  cities  chosen 
decision-makers 
should  be  drawn  to  the  need  to  integrate 
the  cultural  project 
into  a  dynamic 
medium-term  process 

in 

Having 

5/c. 
i!nportance  of 
strengthening 
I {uropean  integration; 

this 
local 

regard 

to 
initiative  both 
and 
identity 

the  dual 
for 
for 

>/(!.  Whereas  this  initiative  may  be  of 

€ 

for  action 

in  compliance  with 

the 
6/Whereas, 
principles 
laid  down  by 
Article  128, a "European  City  of  Culture" 
is  to  be  selected  each  year  to  organise  a 
cultural  project  on  a  specific,  European 
theme,  possibly  in  association  with  other 
European cities; 

particular  importance  for  medium-sized 
cities; 

to 

in  compliance  with 

6/Whereas, 
the 
principles  for  action  laid  down  by  Article 
128,  a  European  City  of  Culture  is  to  be 
selected  each  year  to  organise  a  cultural 
project  of  such  a  nature  as 
lend 
effective  support  to  cultural  creativity  on 
identity, 
a 
and 
specific 
future, 
living 
economic,  social  and  cultural  forces  and 
geared 
to 
European  cultural  development  in  all  its 
diversity; 

theme  based  on 

characteristics, 

to  the  desire 

supported  by 

to  contribute 

its  own 

its  own 

history 

such 

since 

the  project  should  be 
6/a.  Whereas 
in  association  with  other 
developed 
European 
an 
cities, 
arrangement  is  likely  to  be  beneficial; 
submits  an 
whereas 
of 
for 
application  must, 
reasons 
for 
responsibility 
consistency,  assume 
programming  vis-à-vis 
the  European 
authorities  and the  partner  cities; 

the  city  which 

Whereas  the  "European  Cultural  7/Whereas 

7/ 
Month" event  should  be discontinued; 

Month" event  should  be  discontinued; 

the 

"European 

Cultural 

Whereas  the  Community  has  in 
8/ 
the 
the  past  made  a  contribution,  to 
"European  City  of  Culture"  and 
the 
"European  Cultural  Month"  events  under 
the  Kaleidoscope  Programme,  which  is 
due to expire  in  1998;2 

8/Whereas the  Community  has  in the  past 
to  the  "European 
made  a  contribution 
the  "European 
City  of  Culture"  and 
Cultural  Month" 
the 
under 
Kaleidoscope  Programme,  which  is  due 
to expire  in  1998;2 

events 

in 

accordance 

9/ 
Whereas  the  Council  adopted  a 
Decision  on  30 June  1997  calling  on  the 
Commission, 
with 
Article  152  of  the  EC  Treaty,  to  conduct 
a  study  prior to presenting  proposals  for  a 
for 
by 
single 
culture 
May  1998, 
an  Action 
into  which 
"European  City  of  Culture"  will  be 
incorporated, 
funding 
arrangements, 

programme 

including 

^ 

in 

adopted 

accordance 

9/Whereas 
a 
the  Council 
Decision  on  30 June  1997  calling  on  the 
Commission, 
with 
Article  152  of  the  EC Treaty,  to  conduct 
a  study  prior  to  presenting  proposals  for  a 
for 
by 
single 
culture 
May  1998, 
an  Action 
into  which 
"European  City  of  Culture"  will  be 
incorporated, 
funding 
arrangements, 

programme 

including 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:  HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 

Article 1 

shall  organise 

The  Community 
a 
promotional  initiative  entitled  "European 
City  of Culture". The purpose  shall  be to 
highlight  the  richness  and  diversity  of 
European  cultures,  and  the  features  they 
share,  and  promote  greater  mutual 
acquaintance between Union citizens. 

shall 

organise 

The  Community 
a 
promotional  initiative  entitled  "European 
City  of Culture". The purpose  shall  be to 
highlight  the  richness  and  diversity  of 
European  cultures,  and  the  features  they 
share,  and  promote  greater  mutual 
acquaintance between Union citizens. 

Article 2 

Article 2 

From  2002, 
the  "European  City  of 
Culture"  shall  be  chosen  in  accordance 
with the following  procedure: 

From  2002, 
the  "European  City  of 
Culture"  shall  be  chosen  in  accordance 
with the following  procedure: 

- 

- 

three  years  before  the  event  is  due  to 
begin,  the  Member  States  concerned 
shall  submit  to  the  Commission  an 
application  for  the  town  or  towns,  as 
described  in  Article  3,  for  the  year  in 
question; 

the 

shall 

form 

objectives 

the  Commission 
a 
Selection Panel which shall deliver its 
opinion  on  the  applications,  judged 
against 
and 
characteristics  of  this  Action.  The 
Selection  Panel  shall  be composed  of 
seven  leading  independent  figures  of 
whom  two  shall  be  appointed  by 
Parliament,  two  by  the  Council,  two 
by  the  Commission  and  one  by  the 
the  Regions.  The 
Committee  of 
Selection  Panel  shall  present 
its 
opinion to the Commission; 

- 

- 

three  years  before  the  event  is  due  to 
begin,  the  Member  States  concerned 
shall  submit  to  the  Commission  an 
application  for  the  town  or  towns,  as 
described  in  Article  3,  for  the  year  in 
question; 

the 

leading 

objectives 

independent 

the  Commission  shall  each  year  form 
a  Selection  Panel  which  shall  deliver 
its opinion on the applications, judged 
against 
and 
characteristics  of  this  Action.  The 
Selection  Panel  shall  be  composed  of 
figures 
seven 
who  are  experts  on  and  are  from  the 
cultural  sector,  of whom two  shall  be 
appointed  by  Parliament,  two  by  the 
Council,  two  by  the  Commission  and 
one by the Committee of the Regions. 
Membership  of  the  Selection  Panel 
the 
shall  be 
exercise of any  public  elective  office. 
The Selection  Panel shall elect a 

incompatible  with 

chairman  from  amon%  its  rnambera 
The  Sctectkm  Panel  shtill  present  its 
t)f>fnkm  k)  I he  (  '(MIHIHSSHH». 

- 

on  a  arapaaaf  n w*  là»  Cowrowwion 
anal after It* European  Parliament  IKLS 
••an  comufcad, tha Council,  acting  by 
quaJifiad majority,  shall  designate  the 
the 
'Euroatan  CHy  of  Culture'  for 
yaar in 

on  a  proposal  from  the  Commiaakm 
and  after  the  European  Parliament  has 
been  consulted,  the  Council,  acting  by 
qualified  majority,  shall  designate  the 
'European  City  of  Culture'  fer  the 
year  in  question 

ArtfclaS 

Tha  application  muat  present  it  cultural 
project  focusing  on  a  specif*;  European 
theme  and  baaed  principally  on  cultural 
the 
cooperation, 
objectives  and  measures  provided  lor  by 
Article  128  of  the  EC  Treaty.  The  project 
may  be  organised 
in  association  with 
other  European  cities. 

in  accordance  with 

in  accordance  with 

The  application  must  present  a  cultural 
project  focusing  on  a  specific  European 
tliemc  and  based  principally  on  cultural 
the 
cooperation, 
objectives  and  measures  provided  for  by 
Article  128 of  the  EC  Treaty.  The  project 
may  be  organised 
in  association  with 
other  European  cities, to  be chosen  by  the 
proposing  city,  which  shall 
the 
project  throughout. 

lead 

the 

theme, 

The  application  must  specify  how,  within 
the  scope  allowed  by 
the 
applicant  city  intends: 
-  to  highlight  artistic  movements  and 
styles  shared  by  Europeans  which  it  has 
inspired  or 
it  has  made  a 
to  which 
significant  contribution; 
-  to  promote  cultural  events  and  works 
involving  people  active  in  culture  from 
other  cities 
the 
lasting  cultural 
Union  and 
cooperation; 

in  Member  States  of 
leading 

to 

-  to  receive  citizens  of  the  Union  and 
reach  as  wide  an  audience  as  possible  for 
the  various  events  by  employing  a 
multimedia,  multilingual  approach;  and 

the  theme, 

their  movement  within 

in  culture  from  other  cities 

The application  must  specify  how,  within 
the  scope  allowed  by 
the 
applicant  city  intends: 
to  highlight  artistic  movements  and 
- 
styles  shared  by  Europeans  which  it  has 
inspired  or 
it  has  made  a 
to  which 
significant  contribution; 
involving  people 
to  promote  events 
- 
active 
in 
Member  States  of  the  Union  and  leading 
to 
to  lasting  cultural  cooperation,  and 
facilitate 
the 
I{uropean  Union; 
-  to  support  and  develop  creative  work, 
in  any 
is  an  essential  element 
which 
cultural  policy; 
and 
- 
ensure 
participate>n  of 
the 
population  and,  as  a  consequence,  the 
its 
social 
continuity  beyond 
the 
festivities: 
-  to  encourage  the  reception  of  citizens  of 
the  Union  and 
the  widest  possible 
dissemination  of  the  various  events  by 
forms  of  multimedia, 
employing  all 

the  mobilization 
large  sect ions  of 

the  Action  and 
the  year  of 

impact  of 

to 

3 

-  to  promote  dialogue  between  European 
cultures  and  those  from  other  parts  of  the 
world. 

audiovisual  media, 

particularly 
by 
creating  an  Internet  site  and  by  means  of 
a  multilingual  approach,  in  order  that  as 
wide  a  public  as  possible  in  the  city,  the 
Union  as  a  whole  and  beyond  can 
in  the  cultural  programmes 
participate 
; i nd  there by  promote 
initiation  of 
the 
lasting  cultural  cooperation  projects; 
-  to  promote  dialogue  between  European 
cultures  and  those  from  other  parts  of  the 
world  and,  in  that  spirit,  to  optimize  the 
opening  up  to,  and  understanding  of, 
others,  which  are  fundamental  cultural 
values; 
-  to  optimi/.e  the  historic  heritage,  urban 
design  and 
life, 
which  are  indissociable  from  the  cultural 
dimension  of  cities,  and,  in  particular, 
highlight  the  relationship  between  using 
the  existing  heritage  and  contemporary 
creative  work. 

the  quality  of  urban 

Article  4 

A Hide  4 

The  countries  of  the  European  Economic 
Area,  the  associated  countries  of  central 
and  eastern  Europe,  Cyprus  and  European 
third  countries  which  have  concluded 
cooperation 
the 
agreements 
Community  containing  a  cultural  clause 
shall  be  allowed  to  participate 
in  this 
initiative. 

with 

The  countries  of  the  European  Economic 
Area,  the  associated  countries  of  central 
and  eastern  Europe,  Cyprus  and  European 
third  countries  which  have  concluded 
cooperation 
the 
agreements 
Community  containing  a  cultural  clause 
shall  be  allowed  to  participate  in  this 
initiative. 

with 

Article  5 

Article  5 

The  Commission  shall  be  responsible  for 
the  implementation  of  this  intiative  Each 
year  it  shall  produce  a  report  evaluating 
the  results  of  the  previous  year's  event. 
to 
This 
Parliament, 
the 
Committee  of the  Regions. 

shall  be  presented 
the  Council 

report 

and 

The  Commission  shall  be  responsible  for 
the  implementation  of  this  intiative  Each 
year  it  shall  produce  a  report  evaluating 
the  results  of  the  previous  year's  event. 
to 
This 
Parliament, 
the 
Committee  of the  Regions. 

shall 
the  Council 

be  presented 

report 

and 

Article 6 

Article 6 

initiative, 

containing 

This 
detailed 
information  on  procedure  and  closing 
dates for submission of applications, shall 
be published  each year  in the  C Scries of 
the  Official  Journal  of  the  European 
Communities. 

initiative, 

containing 

This 
detailed 
information  on  procedure  and  closing 
dates for submission  of applications, shall 
be published  each  year  in the  C Series of 
the  Official  Journal  of  the  European 
( Communities. 

Article 7 

Article 7 

This  Decision  shall  enter  into  force  on  This  Decision  shall  enter  into  force  on 

See report by Mr Augias PE 211.116/1 m of 27 Msirch  1995; 
Amended Commission  proposal COM(95) 37"? final  of 28 July  1095; 
Decision  719/96 of 29 March  19% (rccilal  11 ) establishing a programme to support artistic 
and cultural activities having a European dimension  (Kaleidoscope). 
See European  Parliament and Council  Decision 719/96 of 29 March  1996 establishing the 
Kaleidoscope  Programme (Action 4). 

/ il 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(98) 350 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

16  13  14 

Catalogue  number  :  CB-CO-98-360-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-36916-0 

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