Informal meetings of Foreign Ministers (IFM 2006)
Sofia, Bulgaria - 27- 28 April 2006 - Second media advisory
- English
- French
Foreign Ministers of NATO will hold informal meetings in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 27 and 28 April 2006, under the chairmanship of the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
1. Information
Foreign Ministers of NATO will hold informal meetings in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 27 and 28 April 2006, under the chairmanship of the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, His Excellency Mr. Ivaylo Kalfin, will host the meetings. The National Palace of Culture is the venue for the ministerial sessions. The Media Centre will be located in the same building.
2. Accreditation and Security Checks
The Media Accreditation Office will be located in the Glass building at the parking entrance of the National Palace of Culture (opposite the Continental Plaza restaurant), bul. Bulgaria 1, 1414 Sofia.Opening hours of the Media Accreditation Office:
| Tuesday, | 25 April | 10:00 – 18:00 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, | 26 April | 09:00 – 21:00 hours |
| Thursday, | 27 April | 09:00 – 19:00 hours |
| Friday, | 28 April | 07:00 - 12:00 hours |
Applications for accreditation can only be made electronically on-line, by clicking on the following link: https://my.hq.nato.int/jas
In order to complete your accreditation request, you will need to provide a digital picture. Only a 3,5 x 4,5 cm passport-size photograph in JPEG format will be accepted. Every applicant has to create a user name and password.
Applications for accreditation should be submitted to NATO before Friday, 21 April 2006.
Applications received after that date may not be processed.
Press passes will be available for collection at the Media Accreditation Office from 10:00 hours on Tuesday, 25 April 2006 .
Press passes to be worn visibly will not be mailed to applicants. They may be collected personally at the Media Accreditation Office on presentation of an I.D. card or passport and a valid press card (or letter of accreditation from a recognized media organisation) which should be presented at any time upon request of security personnel.
All 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 time to clear the security checks. Television and radio broadcasters, wire services and photo agencies with bulky equipment are particularly urged to move most of it into the Media Centre before 12:00 hours on Wednesday, 26 April 2005.
3. Media Centre
The Media Centre will be operational on the following hours:Wednesday, 26 April 12:00 – 22:00 hours
Thursday, 27 April 08:00 – end of operations
Friday, 28 April 08:00 – end of operations
4. Broadcasting
Television and radio interview rooms and facilities are located at the Media Centre.
Satellite uplink trucks and O.B. vans will be parked along the Media Centre at the Media entrance – A6 of the NPC.Electricity in Bulgaria is 220V and plugs have two round pins.
- Television
The Host Television Broadcaster, Bulgarian National Television will provide coverage of arrivals of delegations, the opening sessions, the official group photographs, as well as main international news conferences.
For enquiries, please contact:
Rumen Stratiev, Television Co-ordinator,
Bulgarian National Television
Telephone: +359 2 943 63 85
Mobile phone: +359 887 414 439
Fax: +359 2 943 60 48
E-mail: stratiev@bnt.bg
Coverage material will be distributed by the TV production studio – TV1.
For enquiries, please contact:
Rumen Kovachev – TV1 coordinator
Telephone: +359 2 952 31 67
Mobile phone: +359 88 8 627 313
Fax: +359 2 916 60 85
E-mail: rkovatchevtv1@intech.bg
- Radio
The Host Radio Broadcaster, Bulgarian National Radio will provide the signal and technical assistance.
For enquiries, please contact:
Mrs Albena Milanova Kamburova
Radio Co-ordinator
Bulgarian National Radio
Telephone: +359 2 989 80 84; +359 29 33 65 54
Mobile phone : +359 889 43 46 13
Fax: +359 2 963 44 64
E-mail: milanova@bnr.bg
5. Communications
Laptop computers will need to be equipped with RJ 45 plugs in order to be able to connect to the high-speed communication network.
ISDN lines will be available for radio transmissions. Please check if you need to use an adapter in “Euro ISDN” standard.
6. Programme and pools
The final programme of the meetings will be available upon accreditation.
Media events will begin on Thursday, 27 April with the inauguration of an exhibition at the NPC.
Pool cards will be distributed at the Media Centre at 12:00 on Wednesday, 27 April.
As a follow-up to the NATO ministerial meetings and as part of its series of annual security related events, the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) is holding an international conference on “NATO transformation – Facing new security frontiers on 28-29 April 2006 in Boyana Residence. Press accreditation badges for the NATO ministerial meetings will remain valid for this CSD conference and shuttle buses between the NPC and the Boyana residence will be provided for media representatives.
7. Visas, Accommodation and Transport
- VisasPlease check with the nearest Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate General regarding visa requirements. Please mention that you will cover the NATO foreign ministers meeting when applying for a visa. Visas for accredited journalists are free of charge.
- Accommodation
Media representatives are encouraged to stay in Sofia and are advised to book their hotel rooms as soon as possible.
The recommended hotels are:
Festa Barcelo Premium Sofia Hotel
83, Bulgaria Blvd., Sofia
Tel. +359 2 818 96 18
Fax: +359 2 818 96 28
Central Park Hotel - 4*
106, Vitosha Blvd. , Sofia
Mrs. Valentina Georgieva
Tel. +35 9 2 8110770
Fax: +35 9 2 8110725
Е -mail: valentina.georgieva@grandhotelsofia.bg
For further information please call:
Mr/Mrs Mrs. Maya Stefanova; Mrs. Dessislava Hristova; Mr. Vladimir Panteleev Telephone: +359 2 971 70 74
Fax: +359 2 971 29 86
E-mail: office@bgviptravel.com
- Transport
Media representatives will use the existing Public Transport to and from the airport. A bus service will operate on 27 and 28 April between Festa Barcello Hotel and the Media Centre (the Central Park Hotel is within walking distance from Media Centre).
8. Payment
All major credit cards and bank transfers will be accepted for payments.
Currency exchange is available at Banks and currency exchange offices in Sofia .
9. Enquiries
Ms. Maya Antonova,
Head of Information section
Information and Public Relations Directorate
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sofia
Telephone: +359 2 948 24 50; +359 2 948 20 09 ;
Mobile phone: +359 8999 0 21 24 - +359 885 30 26 85
Fax : +359 2 870 31 40
E-mail : mantonova@mfa.government.bg
Mr. François Le Blévennec
NATO Media Co-ordinator
NATO Press and Media Section
NATO Headquarters
Telephone: +32 (0)2 707 50 38
Mobile phone: +359 885 30 27 19
Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57
E-mail: sofia.ifm2006@hq.nato.int