CONCLUSIONS OF THE MINISTERS OF CULTURE MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL of 12 November 1992 on the procedure for designation of European cities of culture (92/C 336/02)

As a complement to their resolution of 13 June 1985 (1) as well as the conclusions of 18 May 1990 (2) and 18 May 1992 (3) concerning the European City of Culture, the Ministers of Culture meeting within the Council consider it advisable to have a more precise procedure for the designation of cities, bearing in mind that the event is open not only to Community cities but also to cities in other European countries basing themselves on the principles of democracy, pluralism, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

They accordingly approve the procedure for the designation of European cities of culture appearing in the Annex to this conclusion.

(1) OJ No C 153, 22. 6. 1985.

(2) OJ No C 162, 3. 7. 1990.

(3) OJ No C 151, 16. 6. 1992.

ANNEX

PROCEDURE FOR THE DESIGNATION OF EUROPEAN CITIES OF CULTURE 1. Timing of designations

The Council intends to designate cities for 1998 and 1999 in 1993. Designations for 2000 and 2001 will be made in 1995. The same procedure will apply in 1997 and thereafter, every two years.

2. Deadlines for submission

Applications by national governments on behalf of candidate cities for 1998 and/or 1999 should be made not later than 30 June 1993 to enable the designations to be made by 31 December 1993. The same procedure will apply in 1995 and thereafter.

3. Accompanying dossier

Applications should specify the preferred year(s) of designation. The Council will welcome, and take into account, dossiers submitted in support of applications, insofar as these give greater information about the state of preparedness, and plans, of the city concerned.

4. Criteria for selection

The following criteria, which are not exclusive of other considerations, have already been agreed by the Ministers:

(a) the city should be in a European State basing itself on the principles of democracy, pluralism, the rule of law and respect for human rights;

(b) they propose to alternate between Community cities and cities from other European countries, without this being a hard and fast rule;

(c) the cities should not be from the same geographical zone in consecutive years;

(d) a balance should be found between capital cities and provincial cities;

(e) for a specific year a pair of cities may be designated jointly.

5. European Cultural Month

The designation procedure for the European Cultural Month could be examined at the time of the review of that event planned for the second half of 1993.