Valletta's bid to serve as the European Capital of Culture in 2018 was formally submitted  today.

"We all know Valletta for its past and present, this bid projects Valletta into the future," Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco, said.

Should it be selected, Valletta may share its duties with a city in The Netherlands, which still has to be selected.

The EU will decide whether to actually designate the City on the basis of the bid submitted today.

The bid book was compiled by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, which will continue to oversee the progress of the bid.

Dr de Marco explained how all local councils have teamed up to back Valletta in its bid.

The EU's Evaluation Commission is expected to announce its decision for Valletta and the chosen city in The Netherlands next year. 

Dr de Marco and David Felice, who heads the foundation, said that the bid is built around the Cultural Policy announced by the government last year, with a strong emphasis on activities for young people and a 'cultural infrastructure' which would include a museum of modern and contemporary art, a multi-purpose performance space and a museum of architecture and the built environment. 

The activities, Dr de Marco said would not be restricted to Valletta alone but would include other localities all over Malta.