Open dag Raad van Europa op 4 mei (en)

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PRESS OFFICE

Brussels, 2 May 2013

INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS

European Council - Council of the European Union Open Day on Saturday 4 May

In collaboration with the other EU institutions, the European Council and the Council of the European Union organise their Open Day on Saturday 4 May from 10.00 to 17.00 in the Justus Lipsius building at Rue de la Loi 175, Brussels, home to these two European institutions. The Open Day offers visitors an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the way the European Council and the Council of the EU function, and to see the places where decisions which concern all Europe's citizens are taken

This Open Day is organised each year around the time of the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950

Guided tours of the building from 10.00 to 17.15 (start of the last guided tour). Guided by members of staff, guests can visit the rooms where the Heads of State and government and ministers of the 27 Member States meet for summits and Council meetings. Tours are organised throughout the day in French, Dutch, German and English as well as in international sign language for the impaired-hearing persons

Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, is expected to visit the stands around 10.30

Guests can start their visit with a short film entitled "The institutions of the European Union explained by their Presidents"

Various stands providing information and documentation will be organised around a number of specific topics:

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  the role of the European Union in the service of peace, on the occasion of the Nobel Peace Prize 2012, and the European Union's global presence, including through civilian and military peace missions;

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  the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the incoming Lithuanian Presidency with highlights on culture and tourism - an Irish dance exhibition is scheduled between 10.30 to 12.30;

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  the activities of the Union's agencies in support of European citizens;

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  a special stand with quizzes where visitors will have the chance to test their knowledge;

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  this year the Council of the European Union Thinks Young and, in cooperation with the organisation Think Young, is organizing a public debate and a workshops with the new generations. From 11.00 to 15.00 at the Europe Info Europa, Rue Archimede, 1, Bruxelles 1000;

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  the exhibition "STRANGERS TO CITIZS", at the Europe Info Europa, will show the historical contribution of the Irish in continental Europe

A free shuttle service between the European institutions will be available, enabling visitors to participate in all the Open Day events in the European area of Brussels

For more information please click here

Press contact: Rita Piovano

Tel. 02 281 56 52 or 0473 85 02 31

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