The Cypriot city of Paphos, on the western coast, was recommended today for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2017 by an independent selection panel.

The other Cypriot city in contention was Nicosia.

According to the Commission, on 24 August, the independent panel proposed Aarhus (Denmark) to be the other European Capital of Culture for 2017.

The formal nomination of both winning cities by the EU Council of Ministers will take place in May 2013.

Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner responsible for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, warmly congratulated Pafos on its selection to be the European Capital of culture in 2017.

“I am very proud that for the first time a city in my home country will be European Capital of Culture. I am confident that Pafos will make the most of this unique opportunity to develop a cultural programme with a rich European dimension and to support the socio-economic development of the city. I wish Pafos much success,” she said.

Cyprus and Denmark are the two Member States hosting a European Capital of Culture in 2017.