COUNCIL DECISION

of 17 December 1999

on the appointment by the Council of the members of the selection panel for the "European Capital of Culture" Community action

(2000/C 9/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Europan Community,

Having regard to Decision No 1419/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2005 to 2019(1), and in particular Article 2(2) thereof,

Whereas Article 2(2) of Decision No 1419/1999/EC provides that the Commission is to form each year a selection panel which is to issue a report on the nomination or nominations judged against the objectives and characteristics of the action and that the said panel is to be composed of seven leading independent figures who are experts on the cultural sector, of whom two are to be appointed by the Council,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

1. With a view to designating a city as "European Capital of Culture" from the year 2005, during the first half of each year and for the first time in the year 2000 the two States holding the Council Presidency during the ongoing year shall each nominate a leading figure affording the guarantees of independence and expert knowledge required to form part of the selelction panel referred to in Article 2(2) of Decision 1419/1999/EC.

2. During the second half of each year and for the first time in the year 2000 the Council shall appoint by a simple majority the two leading figures who are to form part of the selection panel for the following year.

3. The Presidency shall inform the Commission of the appointment.

Article 2

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 17 December 1999.

For the Council

The President

K. HEMILÄ

(1) OJ L 166, 1.7.1999, p. 1.