REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 445/2014/EU establishing a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1)  Decision No 445/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council⁵ aims to safeguard and promote the diversity of cultures in Europe and to highlight the common features they share while increasing citizens' sense of belonging to a common cultural area. That Decision also aims to foster the contribution of culture to the long-term development of cities in accordance with their respective strategies and priorities.

(1)  Decision No 445/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council⁵ aims at safeguarding and promoting the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe and at highlighting the common features they share while increasing citizens' sense of belonging to a common cultural area. That Decision also aims at both encouraging mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue and at bringing common cultural heritage to the fore as provided for in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). That Decision also aims at fostering the contribution of culture to the smart, sustainable and inclusive development of cities and their surrounding areas in accordance with their respective long-term strategies and priorities.

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⁵ Decision No 445/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 establishing a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033 and repealing Decision No 1622/2006/EC (OJ L 132, 3.5. 2014, p. 1).

⁵ Decision No 445/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 establishing a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033 and repealing Decision No 1622/2006/EC (OJ L 132, 3.5. 2014, p. 1).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1a)  The Union action for the European Capitals of Culture highlights the richness and diversity of European cultures and the features those cultures share, while promoting better mutual understanding and a sense of belonging among European citizens. The action has a positive impact in cultural terms, while boosting tourism and fostering the development of cities across Europe.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1b)  Promoting culture is a priority for the Union since it is fundamental for human development, stronger political integration and growth in aggregate income.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1c)  The European Capitals of Culture make a crucial contribution to promoting Union values.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1d)  Recognition should be granted to the Network of European Capitals of Culture, comprising cities that have held the title at least once, in order to enhance the experience gained from the cultural capital scheme.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(2)  Article 3 of Decision No 445/2014/EU provides that only cities from a Member State, from a candidate country or a potential candidate, or from a country that accedes to the Union in the circumstances set out in Article 3(5) of that Decision have access to the Union action 'European Capitals of Culture'.

(2)  Article 3 of Decision No 445/2014/EU provides that only cities from a Member State, from a candidate country or a potential candidate, or from a country that accedes to the Union in the circumstances set out in Article 3(5) of that Decision have access to the Union action 'European Capitals of Culture'. Novi Sad (Serbia), Timișoara (Romania) and Elefsina (Greece) will be European Capitals of Culture in 2021.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(3)  The Union action should also be open, subject to some conditions, to cities from European Free Trade Association countries which are parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (‘EFTA/EEA countries’) with the view to reinforcing the cultural links between those countries and the European Union in line with Article 81 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

(3)  The Union action should also be open, subject to some conditions, to cities from European Free Trade Association countries which are parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area ('EFTA/EEA countries') with the view to reinforcing the cultural links between those countries and the European Union in line with Article 167(3) TFEU and Article 81 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(4)  However, during the period covered by that Decision, namely from 2020 to 2033, for reasons of equity with cities in the Member States, cities in EFTA/EEA countries, should only be allowed to participate in one competition for the title. Likewise, each EFTA/EEA country should only be allowed to host the title once during that period.

(4)  However, during the period covered by Decision No 445/2014/EU, namely from 2020 to 2033, for reasons of equity with cities participating in the action, cities in EFTA/EEA countries, should only be allowed to participate in one competition for the title. Likewise, each EFTA/EEA country should only be allowed to host the title once during that period as is already the case for candidate countries or potential candidates in accordance with Decision No 445/2014/EU.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(5)  A candidate country, potential candidate or EFTA/EEA country should host the European Capital of Culture in 2028 instead of 2027 so as to make it possible for those countries to negotiate their participation in the Union programme supporting culture that will follow Creative Europe for the period 2021 to 2027 before the relevant call for submission of applications at the latest six years before the year of the title.

(5)  As the calls for submission of applications need to be published at the latest six years before the year of the title, a candidate country, potential candidate or EFTA/EEA country should host the European Capital of Culture in 2028 instead of 2027 so as to make it possible for those countries to negotiate their participation in the Union programme supporting culture subsequent to the Creative Europe Programme for the period 2021 to 2027.