Press Release (97)95 13 Aug. 1997

MEDIA ADVISORY Informal Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers Maastricht, The Netherlands, 1-2 October 1997 Information Defence Ministers of the North Atlantic Alliance will hold an informal meeting in Maastricht, The Netherlands on 1-2 October 1997 under the chairmanship of NATO Secretary General, Dr. Javier Solana. The Dutch Minister of Defence, Mr. Joris Voorhoeve, will host the meeting. A NATO Defence Ministerial Media Centre will be located at the Maastricht Exhibition and Conference Centre (MECC). Accreditation and Security Check Media representatives who wish to cover the meeting should complete the attached "request for accreditation" form and send it no later than 15 September, 1997 to the Directorate of Information (DV) of the Dutch Ministry of Defence or NATO Press and Media Service whose addresses, telephone and fax numbers are found at the end of this advisory. Media representatives based in The Netherlands, should return their application to the Directorate of Information (DV) of the Dutch Ministry of Defence in The Hague. All other media representatives should send their application to NATO Press and Media Service in Brussels. Press passes will be available for collection at the Media Centre from 09:00 on Monday, 29 September, on presentation of an ID card, passport or press card. Press passes must be worn inside the Media Centre. An ID card or passport must be shown at any time upon request of the security personnel. All media representatives accredited to the meeting are advised that security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site. To avoid delays, media representatives must arrive early to be able to clear the security checks. Television, wire services and radio networks that have bulky equipment are particularly urged to move most of it as early as possible into the Media area. Media Centre The Media Centre staffed by NATO and the Dutch Ministry of Defence will be established in the Noordhal of the MECC. Monday, 29 September - accreditation starts Tuesday, 30 September - working area opens Wednesday, 1 October Thursday, 2 October 08:00 - 18:00 hours 12:00 - 24:00 hours 06:00 - 24:00 hours 06:00 - 24:00 hours The Media Centre will be equipped with adequate workspace, communication and transmission facilities. The telephones will be activated by phone card. Phone cards wil be sold at the PTT desk of the Media Centre. Television offices will be made available at the MECC upon request to the Dutch Ministry of Defence (see number below). For specific questions regarding television or radio facilities please call or write: NOS - Telephone - Television : Telephone - Radio: Fax Television and Radio: + 31.35 / 677.3604 + 31.35 / 677.2457 + 31.35 / 677.5105 News Conferences and Press Briefings The main news conferences of the Secretary General of NATO and national press briefings will take place at the MECC. A TV interview room will also be installed at the MECC, and radio journalists will find adequate transmission facilities. Transport - Parking - Visas Media representatives should make their own transport arrangements to and from Maastricht. Private parking is available near the Media Centre. Please check with the nearest Dutch embassy regarding visa requirements. Accommodation Reservations at all hotels should be made before 23 August via the MECC, by returning the attached form. Payments Visa, Eurocard, Amex and Diners credit cards will be adequate for payment. Currency exchange service is available at the MECC. Programme The final programme will be provided on accreditation at the Media Centre. Due to limited space, some media events can only be covered on a pool basis. Requests for pool cards should be made when checking in at the accreditation desk. The host broadcaster will cover the main public events and feed them back to the Media Centre where the coverage will be shown on video monitors. Enquiries For accreditation of media representatives based in The Netherlands or general questions regarding the meeting of the NATO Defence Ministers write or call: Ministry of Defence Directorate of Information (DV) Press & Media Service Kalvermarkt 38 P.O. Box 20701 2500 ES The Hague The Netherlands Tel: + 31.70 / 3188888 Fax: + 31.70 / 3186523 For accreditation of all other media representatives or specific questions regarding NATO issues write or call: NATO Press and Media Service Boulevard Lopold III B-1110 Brussels Tel: + 32.2 / 707.50.38 Fax: + 32.2 / 707.50.57 natodoc@hq.nato.int Tourism Media representatives who are interested in a sightseeing tour of Maastricht during the conference days, or who want general information about the town Maastricht or the province of Limburg, can contact the Directorate of Information of the Dutch Ministry of Defence (for address see above). Attachments: "Request for accreditation" form & "Hotel reservation" form. (.PDF/32Kb)