Brussels, 24 January 2006 - Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik today opened the redesigned press cafeteria in the Council Building of the European Union. By tradition, each Council Presidency makes a gift to the Justus Lipsius building, where the Council is housed.
"The press cafeteria is one of the most important places for meeting and exchanging information. Our proposal for the Austrian Council Presidency to take on the redesign of the press cafeteria was immediately warmly welcomed by all parties. For this and for their active support during planning and implementation, I would like to extend my warm thanks to Secretary-General Pierre de Boissieu and Director-General Hans Brunmayr", said Plassnik before the numerous assembled representatives of the Brussels press corps.
"The new press cafeteria is a genuinely European project. Design, light and metal parts for the fittings come from Austria, the furniture comes from Finland and the electrical installations have been carried out by a Belgian company. That this has all been finished on schedule shows that after all: Europe works!", according to Plassnik.
I thank architect Eduard Neversal, who was responsible for the design", said Plassnik. An important feature in addition to the visual and functional improvement of the space in terms of greater flexibility of furnishing, is the optimum information facility for journalists provided by ten flat TV screens.
The journalists participating in the opening ceremony enjoyed the EU "gugelhupf" (ring cake) from the Viennese bakery Felber, which combines 25 different flavours, "as a symbol of the 25 Member States of the European Union and their delicate interaction."
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Press Department
Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3262, 4549, 4550
Fax: ++43 (0) 50 1159-213
mailto:abti3@bmaa.gv.at
http://www.aussenministerium.at
Email Service
Accreditation
Hotel Reservation
Route Planner
Weather