02/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - Some 35 cities of 17 European countries are applying to become the first European Green Capital for 2010 and 2011. They are: Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Bremen, Bristol, Cluj-Nopoca, Copenhagen, Dublin, Espoo, Freiburg, Hamburg, Hanover, Helsinki, Kaunas, Lisbon, Lódz, Magdeburg, Malmø, Montpellier, Munich, Munster, Murcia, Oslo, Pamplona, Prague, Riga, Rotterdam, Sabadell, Stockholm, Tampere, Torun, Valencia, Vienna, Vilnius, Vitoria-Gazteiz and Saragossa. Each candidature will now be examined by an assessment panel, the European Commission states in a press release published on 2 October. Six cities (3 for 2010 and 3 for 2011) will then be selected and invited to present a more detailed dossier. At the end of the year, the panel will submit recommendations to a jury that will give the final decision. The name of the first two prize-winners for 2010 and 2011 will be revealed during a ceremony in early 2009. (O.L./transl.jl)