Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Sintra, Portugal

A meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers will be held in Sintra, Portugal, on Thursday, 29 May 1997, followed by a North Atlantic Co-operation Council meeting on Friday, 30 May 1997.

1. Media Facilities

   The conference site will be the Penha Longa Resort in Sintra. The Media Centre will be set up next to the Palacio Conference Centre. More information about the media facilities and a detailed programme will be given in a later media advisory closer to the date of the meetings.

2. Accreditation

   Applications for accreditation should be made before 15 April 1997 on the attached form to one of the following addresses:

   1. Belgium-based and international media representatives

      NATO Press and Media Service
      B-1110 Brussels
      Belgium
      Tel: Int'l+(32-2) 707 50 38
      Fax: Int'l+(32-2) 707 50 57

   2. Portuguese and international media representatives based in Portugal

      Ministry of Foreign Affairs
      Organizing Commission (CAN)
      Largo das Necessidades
      1354 Lisboa Codex
      Tel: Int'l+(351-1) 362 13 63
      Fax: Int'l+(351-1) 362 13 47

3. Pass Collection And Security Check

   Accreditation passes can be collected from 14:00 hours on Monday, 26 May 1997, at the Media Centre's accreditation desk on presentation of a valid press card and photographic proof of identity. The pass and the proof of identity should be carried at all times.

   All visiting media representatives to the NAC and NACC meetings are informed that security personnel at the Media site will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried on to the site. To avoid delays, media representatives must arrive in time to be able to clear the security checks. Television, wire services and radio stations that have cumbersome or bulky equipment are particularly urged to move most of it into the Media area as early as possible.

4. Opening Hours Of The Media Centre

   The Media Centre will be open on:

   26 May 10:00 - 19:00
   27 May 10:00 - 19:00
   28 May 10:00 - 19:00
   29 May 07:00 - 24:00
   30 May 07:00 - 24:00

5. Visas - Accommodation

   Media representatives from some countries will need a visa for entering Portugal. They should check with their local Portuguese Embassy.

   Accommodation in the area of the meetings can be arranged through the following organization (see annex):

   TOP TOURS
   Congress Department
   Att: Mr. Vitor Alves
   R. Luciano Cordeiro, 116
   1050 Lisboa
   Portugal
   Tel: Int'l (351-1) 352 00 28
   Fax: Int'l (351-1) 352 52 85

   Media representatives wishing to reserve rooms should contact TOP TOURS directly and reserve rooms as soon as possible.

6. Transport

   As parking facilities at the Media Centre are limited a shuttle service between the Media Centre and the hotels designated for media representatives will be organized. Private cars are not recommended.

7. Pool

   A detailed programme and media briefing material will be available on accreditation.

   Due to the limited space, some media events can only be covered on a pool basis. Pool passes for these events will be distributed on an equitable basis at the accreditation desk from 15:00 hours on Wednesday, 28 May 1997.

   Requests for pool cards should be made when checking in at the accreditation desk. All public events will be fed back to the Media Centre, where the coverage will be shown on video monitors. This material will be available via the Radio/TV distribution system in the Media Centre and on videotape (Beta SP) as well as audio cassettes.

8. Radio And TV

   Portuguese television (RTP) and Portuguese Radio (RDP) will be acting as host broadcasters for the transmission of all public events.

9. Enquiries
   
   Accreditation:

   Ministry of Foreign Affairs
   Organizing Commission (CAN)
   Largo das Necessidades
   1354 Lisboa Codex
   Tel: Int'l (351-1) 362 13 63
   Fax: Int'l (351-1) 362 13 47

   TV

   Radiotelevisão Portuguesa
   Av. 5 de Outubro 197
   1050 Lisboa
   Tel: Int'l (351-1) 797 75 73 / 796 32 51
   Fax: Int'l (351-1) 793 17 58

   Radio

   Technical Operations
   Mr. Celso de Albuquerque
   Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco, 5
   Radiotelevisão Portuguesa
   1070 Lisboa
   Tel: Int'l (351-1) 38 20 00
   Fax: Int'l (351-1) 387 39 79

Hotel space has been blocked by the Official Travel Agency - Top Tours, at the recommended hotels listed below, at the following reduced rates:

NrHotelStarsSingle (Pte.)Double (Pte.)

01Tivoli Sintra422 50024 600

02Estalagem Muchaxo516 50017 500

03Cidadela414 20016 700

04Mimosa410 50014 500

05Atlantico411 00013 700

06Paris310 00011 000

07Praia Mar48 50010 300

08Londres37 7009 900

09Grande Hotel38 0009 600

10Aparthotel Equador37 0008 500

• All rates are per room, per night, in Portuguese Escudos (PTE), including breakfast, all taxes and service charge.
• These special rates are available only if booking is made and paid through Top Tours.
• Please fill in the Hotel Reservation form and fax or mail it at your earliest convenience, but not later than 15 April, 1997
• Reservation requests will be confirmed on a "first come, first served" basis. In case your choice is no longer available a similar alternative accommodation will be offered.
• Full payment, or a deposit of PTE 20.000 (please specify), is required in order to confirm the booking.
• Payment may be made by Credit Card, Bank Cheque or Bank Transfer (in this case please include or fax a copy of the banking order). Bank charges, if any, will be borne by the applicant.
• All outstanding amounts must be fully prepaid before arrival. Upon full payment a confirmation letter/fax will be sent.
• Cancellations received before 31 March will be refunded minus bank charges. After this date the deposit or the equivalent to two nights will be charged. After 30 April no refunds can be made.
• In case of changes/amendments a fixed fee of PTE 2.000 will be charged in order to cover administrative and communication costs.
• During the meetings, Top Tours will have an office at the site of the Conference in order to assist the participants.
• Please consult the attached map for location of the Hotels