Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Decision No 1419/1999/EC of 25 May 1999 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a Community action for the European Capital of Culture event for the years 2005 to 2019 (1), and in particular Articles 2 paragraph 3 and 4, thereof,

Having regard to the Selection Panel report of April 2006 submitted to the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council in accordance with Article 2 paragraph 2 of Decision 1419/1999/EC,

Considering that the criteria laid down in Article 3 and Annex II of Decision No 1419/1999/EC are entirely fulfilled,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission of 23 October 2006,

Article 1

Essen and Pécs are designated as ‘European Capital of Culture 2010’ in accordance with Article 2 paragraph 1 of Decision No 1419/1999/EC as amended by Decision No 649/2005/EC.

Article 2

Istanbul is designated as a ‘European Capital of Culture 2010’ in accordance with Article 4 of Decision No 1419/1999/EC as amended by Decision No 649/2005/EC.

Article 3

All cities designated shall take the necessary measures in order to ensure the effective implementation of Articles 1 and 5 of Decision 1419/1999/EC as amended by Decision No 649/2005/EC.