Brussels, 15/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - In the evening of Thursday 14 July, the Spanish culture minister informed the European Commission that Spain is opening an investigation into the selection process of European Capital 2016 in order to ensure the highest degree of transparency and objectivity. At the end of last month, the city of San Sebastián in Spain was selected (beating Wroc³aw in Poland) to become European Cultural Capital in 2016 (see EUROPE 10408). The selection of San Sebastián has been criticised by a number of other Spanish cities which had also applied, namely Burgos, Las Palmas, Segovia, Córdoba and Zaragoza.
The Spanish culture ministry has asked the European Commission to check whether the selection jury operated in line with the rules. A Commission spokesperson commented that it would be providing the Spanish government with the requested information and one would have to wait for the results of the investigation. One of the main rules, explained the spokesperson, is that when people are selected for a jury, they must sign a statement certifying that they have no conflicts of interest. (L.C./transl.fl)