PRESS RELEASE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NAC visit to Georgia / Meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission ‒ Batumi, Georgia, 9-10 November 2011

General information

The North Atlantic Council (NAC) will visit Georgia on 9-10 November 2011. This media advisory contains important time lines for media attendance and participation.

A meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission will take place in Tbilisi on November 9th, 2011. The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who will hold a press conference after its conclusion. Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri will host the meeting. In Tbilisi, the Permanent Representatives of the 28 NATO nations and the Secretary General will meet other members of the government, Georgian parliamentarians from both government and opposition, and will engage in outreach activities.

The President of Georgia, , will hold a meeting with North Atlantic Council in Batumi on November 10th, 2011. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference by NATO Secretary General and Georgian president.

The Radisson Blue Iveria Hotel in Tbilisi (Rose Revolution Square 1 – 0108, phone: +995 (322) 402200) is the venue for the NATO Georgia Commission meeting, the NATO Secretary General’s press conference, and outreach activities. The meeting with Georgian Parlamentarians will take place in the Parliament building. The Sheraton Hotel in Batumi (28 Rustaveli Street: Batumi 6000) is the venue for the NAC meeting with President Saakashvili.

Program and media access

The events in Tbilisi will start on 9 November 2011 during the afternoon, and will continue the morning of 10 November. Subsequently NAC will travel to Batumi, where events will take place during the afternoon

These are the media opportunities during the first day: 1/ coverage of the opening remarks of the NATO-Georgia Commission meeting, and 2/ the press conference concluding the event. The NATO Secretary General’s press conference will be held in the Radisson Blue Iveria Hotel in the late afternoon. During the second day, the following main events are open for media coverage: 1/ opening remarks of the NAC meetings with members of the Parliament and the President of Georgia, 2/ joint press conference by NATO Secretary General and President Saakashvili (the latter expected late afternoon).

The definitive program will be handed to media representatives upon accreditation. It will include restricted access by selected visual media to the opening of the meetings and the official portrait, and unrestricted access to press conferences.

Live coverage of the media events is foreseen and will be made available by NATO on web streaming and via satellite. The public opening remarks and the NATO Secretary General’s press conference will be available on the NATO website (http://www.nato.int/) after the event. The NATO TV/Radio Office in Brussels will make available video and still photographic material via the NATO website and upon request in broadcast quality; furthermore, an edited package will also be available upon request via the NATO office in Brussels after the meeting.

Access to the facilities in Tbilisi by the media wishing to cover the events will be possible starting from 9 November, 9h00. Access to the facilities in Batumi is allowed starting from the morning of 10 November. Those media representatives wishing to bring in TV, photo or large recording equipment (including SNGs or OB vans) must arrive at the venues ahead of time for security checks.

Media accreditation

Prior accreditation is required and must be made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia – at http://mfa.gov.ge/index.php? lang_id=ENG&sec_id=669. Applications for accreditation must be submitted before Saturday 5 November 2011 close of business. Applications received after that deadline might not be considered. Distribution of the media badges will take place in both Tbilisi and Batumi. Media can pick up their accreditation starting from 8 November, 10h00, at the Radisson Blue Iveria Tbilisi), or starting from 9 November, 10h00 at the Sheraton Hotel Batumi. Identification requirements for entrance on the venues: photo ID and a valid press credential from a recognized national authority.

Security screening will take place upon entering the venues, which frequently results in long lines and delays getting into the hotel. Media representatives should time their arrival on site accordingly.

Facilities / transport / accommodation Equipped media centers are foreseen in both Radisson Blue Iveria Hotel and Sheraton Hotel. Media centers will be equipped with computers, Wi- Fi and wired internet connections, monitors (4) broadcasting the events which are open for media, telephone (no mobile and international calls), printer, Xerox and fax. Media center in Tbilisi will work on 8-9-10 November from 10h00 till 20h00. Media Centers will be cabled for sound in two languages (English, Georgian) The press conference rooms will be cabled for sound in three languages (English, French, Georgian). Media representatives interested in covering the meeting should make their own arrangements regarding transport to Tbilisi, accommodation and / or visa. Access to the venues might be difficult on 9 and 10 November and media representatives are encouraged to allow for extra time to pass through security controls. Transport will be provided between Radisson Blue Iveria and the Parliament for the morning of 10 November. Transport from Tbilisi to Batumi will be provided for a limited number of journalists; details can be obtained from the Georgian media coordinator (contacts below).

Enquiries

Mrs. Natia Chiqovani Georgian Media Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]

jeudi 3 novembre 2011