Valletta, together with all localities in Malta and Gozo, has been officially given the European Capital of Culture 2018 title during a European Council Culture Ministers meeting in Brussels.

The meeting is being attended by Culture Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera and Valletta 2018 chairman Jason Micallef.

The decision to award Malta the title was taken in October last year by an evaluation panel led by Manfred Gaulhofer, chairman of the Evaluation Board.

The European Capital of Culture initiative was started in 1985 to highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures and celebrate the cultural ties that link European together.

Culture capitals have to demonstrate involvement in European artistic and cultural life, alongside their own specific features.