Malta's Valletta to be European Culture Capital 2018

The capital of Malta, Valletta, has been unanimously nominated European Culture Capital 2018, the EU commission announced on Monday. The nomination will be made official in May 2013. ''I trust that Valletta will develop a stimulating program of events with a strong European dimension, and that the title will bring long-term social, cultural and economic benefits to the city and its neighboring areas. We wish Valletta every success,'' said EU Culture Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou. After Malta and Holland in 2018, countries hosting European culture capitals will be Italy and Bulgaria in 2019, and Croatia and Ireland in 2020. The EU leadership plans to extend the title to candidate or potential candidate countries as well.