Press centre

1. Information

Ministers of Foreign Affairs will hold informal meetings in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 April 2007, under the Chairmanship of the NATO Secretary General Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, H.E. Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, will host the meetings.

2. Locations

The Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel in Oslo is the venue for the ministerial meetings. The Media Centre will be located in Oslo Spektrum, next to the Radisson SAS Hotel. The Media Accreditation Office will be located in Hotel Opera, Christian Frederiksplass, 5, in walking distance from the Media Centre and Conference Site.

3. Accreditation and Security Checks

Media representatives wishing to cover the ministerial meetings need to accredit themselves. Applications for accreditation can only be made electronically on-line via internet, by clicking on the following link: https://my.hq.nato.int/jas.

The Accreditation process will require interested media representatives to create a user name and password and to provide a digital picture (3.5x4.5 cm passport-size photograph in JPEG format). Applications for accreditation should be submitted via the above web address no later than Friday 20 April 2007. Applications received after that date may be refused.

Media passes for access to the Media Centre will be available for collection at the Media Accreditation Office. Media passes will not be mailed to applicants and need to be collected personally at the Media Accreditation Office with the presentation of an I.D. card or passport and a valid press card (or letter of accreditation from a recognised media organisation). Passes need to be worn visibly at all times and secondary identification may always be asked for by security personnel. Furthermore, media representatives having completed the request for accreditation on the internet must bring a print-out of the request confirmation.

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 lead time to clear security checks.

Television and radio broadcasters, wire services and photo agencies bringing bulky equipment are particularly urged to bring it into the Media centre prior to 12h00 on Wednesday 25 April 2007.

4. Opening Hours

Accreditation Office, Media Centre

 

	Accreditation Office		Media Centre
	Morning	Afternoon	Morning	Afternoon
Monday 23 April	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed
Tuesday 24 April	9 - 12:00	13 - 18:00	Closed	16 - 19:00
Wednesday 25 April	8 - 12:00	13 - 18:00	9:00	18:00
Thursday 26 April	8:00	20:00	9:00	End of operations
Friday 27 April	7:30 - 12:45	Closed	7:00	19:00

5. Broadcasting

Television and Radio interview rooms and facilities are located in the Media Centre. Satellite uplink trucks and O.B. vans will be parked close to the Media Centre. Electricity in Norway is 220 V and plugs have two round pins.

The Host Television Broadcaster, NRK, will provide coverage of arrivals of delegations, the opening sessions of meetings, the official group photograph as well as the main international news conferences. For enquiries, please contact :

Producer TV: Morten Johannessen  Office:+47 23049587
Mail: morten.johannessen@nrk.no Cell: +47 97752895

Project manager: Ola Haugland  Office: +47 23045173
Mail: ola.haugland@nrk.no   Cell: +47 97566316

The Host Radio Broadcaster, NRK, will provide the signal and technical assistance. For enquiries, please contact :

TOM Radio:  Stein Nybakk                 Office: +47 23049758
Mail: stein.nybakk@nrk.no   Cell: +47 92237061

TOM TV:  Arne Peder Skjønsberg Office: +47 23047768
Mail: arne.peder.skjonsberg@nrk.no Cell: +47 90665817

6. Communications

Laptop computers will need to be equipped with RJ 45 plugs in order to be able to connect to the LAN 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.

7. Programme and Pools

The Media Programme around the ministerial meetings will be available upon accredition. Photographers and cameramen will receive pool cards to cover events with limited access. Pool cards will be available for pick-up from the Information Desk  from 10 a.m. on Thursday, 26 April.

8. Visas, Accommodation, Transport

Please check with the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Consulate General regarding visa requirements.

Media representatives are encouraged to stay in Oslo and to book their hotel as soon as possible. Room reservations should preferably be made electronically via
http://tsforum.event123.no/UD/OSLO07  or using email: natopress@tsforum.no  before March 19, 2007. Contact persons are Ms. Nina S.Nørsteng, +47 61 28 73 20, email: natopress@tsforum.no  (or Mr. Jørn Holst Kristiansen, +47 91 35 22 36, j.h.kristiansen@tsforum.no)

The media hotels have been selected because of their location near the Media Centre.

Media Hotels

Hotel Opera ****: Christian Frederiksplass 5, 0154  Oslo.
Standard room: 158 EUR, Economy room: 136 EUR

Hotel Spectrum***: Brugata 70186  Oslo.
Standard/Double room: 107 EUR

Hotel Terminus***: Stenersgaten 10, 0184  Oslo.
Single room: 123 EUR, Double room: 148 EUR

Rica Hotel Oslo ****: Europarådets Plass 1 Sentrum 0105 Oslo
Single room: EUR 120 EUR, Double room: 151 EUR

Media representatives are advised to use their own means of transportation to and from the airport. Private parking will not be available near the Media Centre. A shuttle bus service will be provided between the media hotels and the media centre and a schedule will be provided upon accreditation.

9. Payment

All major credit cards and bank transfers (in advanced if required) will be accepted for payments. Currency exchange is available at banks and currency exchange offices in Oslo.

10. Enquiries

Mr. Bjørn Jahnsen
Norwegian Task Force Media Coordinator
Telephone : +47 22 24 38 27/+47 97 16 48 43
Fax:   +47 22 24 95 80
Email:  bj@mfa.no

Mr. Damien Arnaud
NATO Task Force Media Coordinator
Telephone: +32.2.707.50.38
Fax:  +32.2.707.50.57
Email:  press-at-oslo@hq.nato.int

• Media handbook