COUNCIL DECISION

of 12 May 2009

on the European Capital of Culture event for the year 2012

(2009/400/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Decision No 1622/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2007 to 2019(1), and in particular its Article 14,

Having regard to the selection panel report of 5 November 2008 submitted to the Commission, to the European Parliament and to the Council in accordance with Article 14(2) of Decision No 1622/2006/EC,

Considering that the criteria referred to in Article 14(3) of Decision No 1622/2006/EC are entirely fulfilled,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission of 8 April 2009,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Guimarães (Portugal) and Maribor (Slovenia) are designated as ‘European Capital of Culture 2012’ in accordance with Article 14 of Decision No 1622/2006/EC.

Done at Brussels, 12 May 2009.

For the Council

The President

KOPICOVÁ

(1)

OJ L 304, 3.11.2006, p. 1