Brussels, 04/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The 28 members of the European Parliament (EP) culture and education committee have unanimously adopted a draft report, based on a European Commission proposal, on establishing an EU initiative for the European Heritage Label. The European Heritage Label has existed since 2006 and, to date, a total of 64 sites in 17 EU member states and Switzerland have been recognised. However, these sites were selected independently by participating countries with no European body overseeing matters. With the initiative still under discussion in the Council of Ministers and having been well received by member states, the EP is doing its bit with this draft report on restarting the project as an EU scheme.
MEPs rejected the Commission proposal that sites which already have the label should be included. They also believe the new programme should initially only involve EU member states. Member states will pre-select up to two sites every two years and a maximum of one site per country will then be chosen by the Commission with the help of independent experts. The EP plenary vote will take place in December. (I.L./transl.rt)