FROM GAY RIGHTS TO GOLF
FROM GAY RIGHTS TO GOLF COURSES The bids published by 21 member states in the race to host the two London-based EU agencies - the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Banking Authority (EBA) - are very much reminiscent of the standard application letter. The authors have clearly looked at the six criteria agreed to by EU government leaders last June, and made sure that their bid ticked most of the boxes. If the bids were to be believed, virtually all of the European cities are well connected to all other capitals, can guarantee the agency's "business continuity", and offer healthcare and job opportunities for agency workers' spouses. Each contestant also threw in some extras, beyond the minimum criteria, by spotlighting the unique qualities inherent in their city or region, in the hope of persuading Europe to give them one or both of the agency seats. The features portrayed reveal parts of a city's self-image and give insight into what its officials think makes it competitive. Here are some examples. CULTURE The authors of the bids seem to think EU agency staff prize culture. The Dutch, in their application, noted that Amsterdam hosts 207 Van Gogh paintings, whereas Frankfurt took a more general approach by boasting "over 4,000 paintings from the Middle Ages to the present". Vienna mentioned that it hosts "The Kiss" by artist Gustav Klimt, while Prague went as far as offering the staff of the EBA "unlimited free access" to dozens of museums. Photo:taimt ooe Art ProetPbiomai 24 — REGIONS & CITIES OCTOBER 2017
CYCLING Accessibility is one of the six criteria, but many bids also emphasise the ease of getting around within the city. Photos of bicycles, usually set in a sunny backdrop, were a popular feature in many of the applications. Germany spoke of Frankfurt's "excellent cycle paths", while Denmark noted that around "400 kilometres of bicycling paths connect the different areas of Copenhagen". The Dutch application - an 86-glossy page book weighing 400 grams - included seven photos prominently showing bicycles. SPORTS Some cities aren't afraid to get physical. Photo: or yayo Copenhagen offered agency staff "plentiful parks, lakes and green spots - ideal for a football match or a relaxing picnic", while others like Paris and Barcelona point out how much cheaper a gym membership is compared to the UK. The Bulgarian bid expected EMA staff to share a hobby with the US president: "If you are a golf enthusiast, you can enjoy the best golf courses in Eastern Europe such as the Thracian Cliffs and Pirin Golf," it said, noting that the nearest golf course is only 15 minutes away from the planned headquarters. It neglected to mention, however, that the permit granted to one of the golf courses by the Bulgarian government was given in violation of EU law. REGIONS & CITIES OCTOBER 2017— 25
