Rodríguez Zapatero

A freshman at the EU summit

A report by Marinka De Rycke

‘Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Brussels 19 November 2009’, that’s the master title of my accreditation badge. The word ‘informal’ hides the possibility of a significant moment in the history of the European Union. Tonight the leaders of Europe will probably choose the first President of Europe, which makes many people dream. “Who do I need to call if I want to call Europe?”, perhaps tonight Henry Kissinger will get the answer he has been longing for far too long.

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Friday, November 20 2009 By blog.bruxelles - Galaxy Europe

Live from Brussels' EU informal Summit: the Arrival of the EU Heads of States and Governments

Ahead of the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, all the heads of states and governments of EU-countries have a working dinner in Brussels tonight.

It is 5.30 p.m. and at the moment, the Swedish President of the European Council, Fredrik Reinfeldt, is receiving and greeting the different officials arriving in Brussels. José Manuel Barosso, the President of the European Commission, and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero are already in the Justus Lipsius building as they arrived just minutes ago. Other countries, such as Germany and France, are already giving press briefings.

Tonight, leaders will name a first-ever permanent President of the European Council, a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as well as a Secretary-General of the Council. This meeting was already preceded by wide consultations with all EU government leaders conducted by Reinfeld.

As the evening goes, we will publish the information we gather and the pictures taken by our reporters. So check this blog regularly as we will try to keep you update as often as possible!

Stay tuned!

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Thursday, November 19 2009 By Annabelle - Galaxy Europe

Zapatero, Sarko and the others… four Babelians at the Council – Episode 2

Episode 2 – Brussels on a Sunday

Inside the council building, journalists of all countries are wandering in the corridors. It has transformed into a news factory. Leaders of Europe are meanwhile trying to fix our failing economy. This is a good moment to take a walk around and listen to those hallways’ whispers. Soon, the time of debriefings comes.

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Friday, March 6 2009 By Julien - Galaxy Europe

Zapatero, Sarko and the others… four babelians at the Council - Episode 1

Episode 1 - “Get Ready ! Here they come !”

In the middle of the crisis, European heads of state gathered this Sunday in Brussels to try once again to speak with the same voice. Meanwhile, a few members of Café Babel Brussels got an opportunity to see the behind the scenes of one of these summit meetings. For the heads of states’ entrance, Anna and Elisanda are tried to find some room to catch a glimpse of our leaders. Do not miss the rest of our babelian’s adventures at the summit to be published later on this week. An occasion to learn more about those European press conferences.