Media Advisory Note (Rev 1) Informal Summit 2017

3 February 2017

Media Advisory Note (Rev 1)

Malta Informal Summit 2017

3 February 2017

1. General Information

The Malta Informal Summit 2017 will be held on 3 February at the Grandmaster’s in , Malta.

More information on the Malta Informal Summit 2017 can be found on the Council website. Information on practical aspects for journalists can be obtained by consulting the webpage of the Malta summit.

2. Media Accreditation

Media representatives wishing to cover the Malta Informal Summit 2017 must apply for accreditation. The accreditation procedure for this meeting is open, and journalists can apply for media accreditation on-line until 27 January 2017.

Applicants will receive an email once they have been accredited.

Applications received later than the deadline are likely to be delayed or refused. By registering before the deadline, you will avoid additional formalities and procedures. Please also allow due time if you require a visa (see also section on visas).

For any queries regarding accreditation, please contact the Maltese Presidency at [email protected] or +356 2540 2700.

3. Collection of badges

Accreditation badges must be collected in person from the Media Accreditation Office at the main entrance of the Media Centre which will be located at , Valletta, during the following opening hours:

 Wednesday 1 February 08.00 - 17.00  Thursday 2 February 08.00 - 00.00  Friday 3 February 06.00 - 00.00

When you collect your identification badge, you must present an identification document together with the Media Accreditation Confirmation email.

No accreditation badge will be issued if you cannot present these documents.

Badges are personal and non-transferable and must be worn visibly all the time.

[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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All participants will undergo various security checks.

4. Visas

Journalists from non-EU countries must possess an appropriate valid Schengen Visa prior to arriving in Malta. It is this person’s responsibility to access the visa website in order to obtain the necessary application. This would need to be filed at the diplomatic mission of the main destination or country of first entry into the Schengen area, or its representation. Journalists must ensure that the application is lodged as soon as possible in order to ensure timely review.

Those needing a visa are requested to clearly indicate this in the registration form on the Accreditation Portal. Upon successful completion of the process, a supporting letter confirming accreditation to the meeting will be issued. The confirmation letter will need to be presented as part of the documentation required when applying for a Schengen visa.

The relevant documentation may be obtained from Malta’s Central Visa Unit (CVU) portal: https://identitymalta.com/visa-application

For further information, kindly contact Malta’s Central Visa Unit (CVU) on: +356 2204 2310/2421/2424 or [email protected]

When requesting a visa, applicants must ensure that their passport will remain valid for a period of at least six months. It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure that their visa applications are timely, travel documents are up to date and entry requirements for the Schengen Area are met.

5. Media Centre

The Media Centre will be located at Fort Saint Elmo in Valletta and will be equipped with facilities for the press and audiovisual media. The opening hours are outlined above (section 3). These can be extended according to the outcome of the meeting.

5.1 Working facilities for media Workstations equipped with Ethernet, internet Wifi connection and power supply will be provided. There will also be a limited number of telephone lines, ISDN connections and office printing facilities. Additional seats will be provided in the lounge area with Wifi connection and power supply. Workstations for audiovisual media will also be available in TV/radio editing rooms (see below).

It should be noted that there will only be a limited number of laptops installed in the workstation area to be used on a "first come first served" basis.

Closed-circuit television carrying Host Broadcaster pictures and press information will be in operation throughout the Media Centre.

[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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5.2 Reservation of work spaces for journalists

Media representatives may reserve work spaces by means of a label indicating their name and media organisation. The press office of the Malta Informal Summit 2017 cannot reserve work spaces.

Reserved spaces not occupied at the beginning of the proceedings may be taken by others.

5.3 Press Conference and National Press Briefings

The Press Conference and National Press Briefings will take place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta (adjacent to the Media Centre).

Access from the Media Centre to the Mediterranean Conference Centre will be free (5 minutes’ walk).

A map of the Valletta layout is annexed.

6. Audio Visual

Full photo/video coverage of the Malta Informal Summit 2017 will be organised by the official Host Broadcaster - Globecast. All Host Broadcaster footage in broadcast quality as well as a selection of photographs will be available on http://www.eucouncil.tv.

7. Media Programme: Photo/TV opportunities (subject to change)

The official arrivals and doorsteps will take place at the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta on 3 February. The Media will be escorted by bus from the Media Centre.

09:00 – 09.40 Arrival and Doorsteps (Grandmaster’s Palace) > host broadcaster (live coverage) + media - access first come, first served

09:40 – 09:55 Handshake by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, the President of the European Council and the President of the Commission (Grandmaster’s Palace) > host broadcaster only

10.00 – 10:05 First Working Session: Roundtable (Grandmaster’s Palace) > host broadcaster (live coverage) + photo/TV only - Pool 1

12.45 – 13.00 Family Photo (weather permitting) > host broadcaster (live coverage) + photo/TV only - Pool 2

13:00 Photo opportunity: (weather permitting) > host broadcaster (live coverage) + photo/TV only - Pool 3

[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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16.00 Press Conference/National Press Briefings (Mediterranean Conference Centre) > host broadcaster (live coverage) + media – access first come, first served

17.15 – 17.20 Second working session - Roundtable (Grandmaster’s Palace) > host broadcaster + photo/TV only - Pool 4

19.15-19.45 Departures & Doorsteps (Grandmaster’s Palace) > host broadcaster (live coverage) + media – access first come, first served

7.1 Pool cards allocation

Media wishing to participate in pools should register interest to Globecast on email: [email protected] by Thursday 2nd February at 12:00. Pool cards will be allocated by the organisers in way to ensure an appropriate geographical coverage and on a first come, first served basis. Please note that the number of available places is very limited.

Pool cards will be distributed at the Press Centre.

Please note the following incompatibilities: - Pools 1 and 4 are incompatible with one another - Pools 2 and 3 are incompatible with one another Access to the doorstep area at the Grandmaster’s Palace and final Press Conference is free and on a first come first served basis.

Transport for the media opportunities at the Grandmaster’s Palace will be provided. Electric cabs will also be made available on a regular basis to and from the Grandmaster’s Palace as required. Access on foot is also possible.

8. Facilities for TV Stations

Globecast will be providing TV editing rooms with Wifi connections, equipped for reception of the Host Broadcaster's TV signal.

Dedicated internet access ranging between 20 and 50 Mbps can be booked but charges will apply

For services provided by the Globecast (distribution of signals, playouts, standups, multilateral or unilateral transmission and reservation of editing rooms on a "first come, first served" basis), please contact:

Globecast bookings Tel: +27 11 482 2790 Fax: +27 11 482 2792 e-mail: [email protected]

[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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A limit of 1 booth per media will be applied.

9. Facilities for Radio Stations

Globecast will be providing radio booths equipped with an ISDN Line and Wifi internet access.

Globecast will be responsible for the distribution of signals.

Additional connections must be booked directly and will be charged to the broadcaster.

Globecast bookings Tel: +27 11 482 2790 Fax: +27 11 482 2792 e-mail: [email protected]

A limit of 1 booth per media agency will be applied.

10. Satellite Vehicle Parking / Booking of Stand-up positions

Parking places for satellite TV and radio broadcasting vehicles are located along Fort Saint Elmo. An HD SDI pool feed will be made available in SNG car park. Broadcasters not self- providing should book unilateral connections by 25th January 2017. Booking requests are to be sent to [email protected].

In order to reserve a parking space, you must send your request for a parking permit to: [email protected] by 25th January 2017 at the latest and include the following information: vehicle size, power requirements, registration number, name of driver and telephone number.

Permits for satellite vans will be issued by the security service, and any changes to the above information after the deadline could result in difficulties or delays in gaining access.

Live stand-up positions will be located in the Media Centre overlooking the . 2 stand-up positions will be operated by the Host Broadcaster and can be booked on a "first come first served" basis, whilst a further 28 shelter and power only stand-up positions will be made available for the media agencies for their use.

In both instances, advanced booking is essential. Please state your preference when booking. The deadline is 25th January 2017.

Globecast bookings Tel: +27 11 482 2790 Fax: +27 11 482 2792 e-mail: [email protected]

11. TV and photo newsroom

All Host Broadcaster footage can be downloaded in broadcast quality (MPEG-4 - 16/9 format) on http://www.eucouncil.tv (arrivals, doorsteps, round table, family photo, departures and

[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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press conferences).

A selection of photographs taken by Council photographers will be published on http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/photos. The high-resolution photographs can be downloaded and used free of charge for non-commercial use (provided the copyright "Malta Informal Summit 2017" is mentioned).

12. Setup and Derigging

Broadcast media can deliver equipment to the media center on Wednesday 1st February and Thursday 2nd February. Equipment must be de rigged and removed on Saturday 4th February.

For any technical questions please contact:

Globecast bookings Tel: +27 11 482 2790 Fax: +27 11 482 2792 e-mail: [email protected]

13. Security Measures

The Malta Police Force will establish a security cordon around the Media Centre at Fort Saint Elmo and the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. Access will be denied to anyone without an accreditation badge and identity document.

14. Catering

Meals and refreshments will be available for journalists at the restaurant and lounge area set up in the Media Centre at Fort Saint Elmo in Valletta.

15. Accommodation

Media representatives are responsible for booking and paying for their own accommodation. For further details, kindly visit: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/where-to-stay.

Please bear in mind that hotels may be fully booked well in advance.

16. Transport

Please note that no transport will be organised from hotels to/from the Media Centre in Valletta. Media representatives can find information on public transport in Malta on the following website: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/getting-around

Transport during the Malta Informal Summit 2017 is explained under the “Photo/TV Opportunities” section above.

17. Contacts

For any further information, please address your queries to the following email addresses:

[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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[email protected][email protected]

Call Centre: +356 2540 2700

18. Other Practical Information

Important Numbers

Emergency 112

Ambulance 196

Police (+356) 2122 1111 / 4001 / 4007

Mater Dei Hospital (+356) 2545 0000

Passport Office: (+356) 2122 2286 Malta

Time Zone

The time zone in Malta is Central European Time (GMT+1).

Currency

Currency in Malta is the Euro.

Country Code

In order to make a call to Malta, the country code is +356.

Using Money in Malta

There are several banks, bureaux de change and automated foreign exchange machines for the exchange of money. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diner’s Club cards are accepted at every establishment that accepts payment by credit card. If any of the following logos appear on your card: Visa/Electron/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus/Solo/Maestro, you will be able to withdraw money from the several ATMs around the island. It is important to check whether your home bank has authorised your card for international use if you plan on using a debit card.

Power Supply

230V ±10% electrical supply. Supply frequency is 50Hz.

Plug in use is the three-pin rectangular plug. Plug type in use is BS 1363. BS 4573 is used for shavers. Adapters are widely available.

[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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Climate

Winters in Malta are short, mild and windy with infrequent rain. The climate is a Mediterranean one. February is typically fresh and warm clothes are advisable.

Languages

Both Maltese and English are official languages. English is widely spoken all over the Island, followed by Italian.

[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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[email protected] Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta +356 2540 2700

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