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The Basque government is supporting Donostia-San Sebastián''s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2016. Together with Gipuzkoa''s county council and the municipality''s town hall, the executive will be participating in the financing of the project to boost the candidacy of the coastal city as European Capital of Culture in 2016, given that "this is not a local initiative but a country one," as Culture councillor Blanca Urgell said on Thursday.

"San Sebastián 2016 is a project that concerns the whole Basque Country. Cheer up donostiarras (citizens of Donostia-San Sebastián), you are our city and we will be encouraging you," she added.

She was in charge of signing an agreement between the Basque government and the Gipuzkoa''s county council which consists of an aid of 600,000 euros. Donostia-San Sebastián town hall has reserved the same amount to carry out the initiative.

The accord was also signed by the mayor of the city Odón Elorza and Gipuzkoa''s county councillor Markel Olano.

The agreement is valid for two years, although it will be extended for another year in case the city is selected in Autumn 2010. Then, Donostia-San Sebastián would need to keep on competing until September or October 2011 in order to obtain the title of European Capital of Culture.