Foreign Ministers Meetings

Brussels, 6 March 2008

General

1. The North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Foreign Ministers will meet at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Thursday 6 March 2008.

Programme and pools

2. The detailed Media Programme will be available upon accreditation.

3. All media representatives wishing to cover the event require accreditation, except those who hold permanent accreditation with NATO Headquarters in Brussels (See No. 6 below). Arrivals and Press Conferences are media events that do not require a pool card. The opening remarks of the Council meeting will be transmitted live on the internal CCTV system and can be followed from the press working area; those audiovisual media representatives who wish to cover the opening remarks from inside the Council chamber can introduce a request for a pool card in writing at the email address indicated at the end of this advisory. No confirmation will be sent. Pool Cards for restricted media events will be handed out to cameramen and photographers at the Information Desk of the Media Centre from 15h00 on Wednesday, 5 March.

4. By accepting a pool card, cameramen and photographers agree to share their material upon request with colleagues who have not had direct access to the venue.

5. NATO Photographers and Cameramen provide audio-visual products of all media events on the NATO website or by contacting the TV/Radio unit.

Accreditation and security checks

6. Journalists holding a valid permanent NATO media pass need not apply for accreditation and will have access as usual.

7. Media representatives not in possession of a valid permanent NATO media pass and wishing to cover the meeting need to request accreditation. Applications for accreditation can only be made electronically on-line via internet, by clicking on the following link: https://my.hq.nato.int/jas.

8. The Accreditation process requires media representatives to create a user name and password and to provide a digital picture (3.5 x 4.5 cm passport-size photo in JPEG format). Applications should be made no later than 12h00 on Monday, 3 March 2008. Applications received after that date will encounter delays and may be rejected. Media representatives having completed the request for accreditation on the internet must bring with them a print-out of the request confirmation.

9. Access to the Media Centre requires a media pass delivered at the Accreditation Office. Media passes will not be mailed to applicants and must be picked up in person at the Media Accreditation Office upon presentation of a valid I.D. card or passport and a valid press card (or letter of accreditation from a recognized media organization). Media representatives will be accredited at the Main site entrance of NATO Headquarters. Passes need to be worn visibly at all times and secondary identification may be asked by security personnel at any time. Media representatives are informed that security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site and are advised to arrive with sufficient lead time to clear security checks.

10. Broadcasters, wire services and photo agencies bringing bulky equipment are encouraged to bring it into the Media Centre on Wednesday, or early on Thursday.

Opening hours

	Accreditation Office	Media Centre
Wednesday 5 March 2008	13h00 – 18h00	13h00 – 21h00
Thursday 6 March 2008	07h00 –17h00	07h00 – 21h00

 

Parking

11. Media representatives are advised that they will not be allowed to park their vehicles inside the NATO compound; they will be allowed to park on the “East” and “West” parking areas, just outside NATO’s Main site entrance. Outside broadcasting vans will park in the dedicated area of parking “East” or in “parking H” upon request.

Points of Contact

Press arrangements:	Mr. Damien Arnaud	Tel: +32 (0)2 707 50 38
General Queries	Front Office	Tel: +32.(0)2 707 5035 / 5041 / 1441
Accreditation	Mr. Luke Brothers	Tel: +32 (0)2 707 1431
Pool Card Requests		Email: march-2008-mfa@hq.nato.int
TV and Radio:	Mr. Georges De Brouwer	Tel: +32 (0)2 707 50 49
	Mrs. Kathy Massey	Tel: +32 (0)2 707 50 50

 

Tel: +32 (0)2 707 50 41 - Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57
press@hq.nato.int - http://www.nato.int