Press
Release
(2008)067

21 May 2008

Defence Ministers Meetings

Brussels, 12 - 13 June 2008

GENERAL

1. The North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of defence ministers will meet at NATO Headquarters on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 June 2008. The Nuclear Planning Group (NPG), the Defence Planning Committee (DPC), the NAC with non-NATO KFOR contributors, the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) and the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) will meet at the level of defence ministers on the same days.

PROGRAMME AND POOLS

2. The detailled Media Programme will be available upon accreditation. The first meeting is foreseen in the afternoon on 12th June and the last one will end around lunchtime on 13th June.

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 adress 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 who have accredited on time at the Information Desk of the Media Centre from 09h00 on Thursday, 12 June.

4. By accepting a pool card, cameramen and photographers agree to share their material upon request with colleagues who 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 acces 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 photograph in JPEG format). Applications should be made no later than 12h00 on Monday, 09 June 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 NATO media pass. 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 organisation). 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 Thursday morning.

OPENING HOURS

  Accreditation Office Media Centre
Wednesday 11 June 2008 14h00 - 18h00 -
Thursday 12 June 2008 08h30 – 19h30 08h30 - end of operations
Friday 13 June 2008  07h00 - 13h30 07h00 - end of operations

 

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 on “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 50 35 / 50 41 / 14 41
Accreditation Mr. Thomas Bellanger Tel : +32 (0)2 707 14 31
Fax: +32 (0)2 707 13 99
Pool Cards Requests Email: june-2008-mod@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