Press Release Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit Ref: 359a05 Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93 Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34 [email protected] internet: www.coe.int/press

46 members hosts celebration to mark 50 years of the Europe Prize Albania Andorra Armenia , 29.06.2005 – The mayors of around 30 European towns will gather in Santiago de Compostela () from 1 to 3 July to mark the 50th Azerbaijan anniversary of the Europe Prize and the 20th anniversary of the award of the Prize to Santiago de Compostela. Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria The prize, which is awarded each year by the Parliamentary Croatia Assembly, (PACE) rewards local or regional authorities for their active Cyprus promotion of the European ideal (twinnings, European events, exchange visits, Czech Republic etc.). Every year there are four awards: the European Diploma, Estonia the Flag of Honour, the Plaque of Honour and the Europe Prize itself. Finland Since its creation in 1955, the prize has been awarded to 61 European Georgia municipalities, contributing to the promotion of the European idea and encouraging the development of relations between citizens in the Council of Europe area. Iceland Ireland This celebration, hosted by the Mayor of Santiago de Compostela Xosé Antonio Sánchez Bugallo, will bring together the mayors of winning towns from the last Latvia Liechtenstein 50 years. Luxembourg There will be a press conference at 12.30 p.m. on Friday 1 July at Hotel “Reyes Malta Católicos”, Plaza del Obradoiro, Tel : + 34 981 582 300. Moldova Monaco For further details, contact Felix Santos Delgado, Council of Europe Press Correspondent for Spain, portable +34 66 942 39 67. Portugal The website of the Europe Prize San Marino Serbia and Montenegro Slovakia Slovenia Spain “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 630 members from the national parliaments of the 46 member states. President: René van der Linden (Netherlands, EPP/CD); Secretary General of the Assembly: Bruno Haller. Political Groups: SOC (Socialist Group); EPP/CD (Group of the European People's Party); LDR (Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group); EDG (European Democratic Group); UEL (Group of the Unified European Left).