The High Representative denies (a little) wanting to keep the press out of meetings
(BRUSSELS2) Questioned by journalists during the daily briefing, Catherine Ashton's spokesperson today denied wanting to exclude the press from the informal meeting of foreign ministers in Paphos (Cyprus) at the beginning of September, preferring the responsibility for the choice of the place of the meeting as the working conditions of the press on the Cypriot presidency.
NB: For those who have not followed the previous episodes, the informal meeting takes place in Paphos at the other end of the island while all the other important informal meetings and the press center have been located in a unique place, in Nicosia, very well equipped and easily accessible.
Yes " the agenda of the meeting is drawn up by the High Representative and the European External Action Service (...), the logistics and organization of the meeting are provided by the Cypriot President” he underlined, clearing himself of wanting "hinder the right to information and the work of European correspondents“as officially complained by the international press association (API), which represents journalists with the European institutions (*).
“Ministers and the High Representative will be available at the start of the meeting “, he assured, during the “doorsteps” (as they are called in good European jargon). And " a press conference will follow after the meeting. (While) spokespersons available during the meeting. Cleverly, however, he dodged the question of the organization far from certain places, recalling all the same that one of the objectives of “this gymnich is to have a full, informal discussion between the Ministers” Foreign Affairs. A half-confession... To listen to the exchange (it lasts 5 mins), it's here
(*) The API has reached an agreement with the services of the Council - after a somewhat chaotic presidency (the French one...) and the displacement, somewhat impromptu, not to say cavalier, 🙂 of certain bilateral summits and informal meetings. Thus it is planned that journalists have access to the entrances to informal meetings and have a work room on site (or nearby), in order to facilitate sending to the editorial offices (editing for the audiovisual media, internet for all) .
(updated August 30) Finally the press obtained at the last moment the respect of this agreement. The High Representative will therefore have to deal with the press. The risk was that she would find herself in Nicosia, with only the Cypriot press under a rolling fire of questions which would undoubtedly have focused mainly on relations with Turkey.
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