Brussels, 29/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 28 May, the European Parliament's education and culture committee adopted the report of Marco Scurria (EPP, Italy) on European capitals of culture. The report approves the extension of the European action begun in 1999 and renewed for the first time in 2006. The European Parliament considers that the main challenges involve the sustainability of the cultural activities proposed and ensuring that the cities selected have access to several funding programmes, given the limited budget available for this initiative, and ensuring greater participation by civil society. The European Commission proposal maintains the general structure of the current initiative, in addition to changes involving the way cities are designated (by the Commission and not by the Council). On 17 May last, the Council adopted a general approach in which it underlined its wish to maintain its role in the selection procedure. Discussions between the Council and Parliament will begin under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of Ministers. (IL/transl.fl)