Media Advisory Note
Malta Informal Summit 2017
3 February 2017
Media Advisory Note
Malta Informal Summit 2017
3 February 2017
1.
General Information
The Malta Informal Summit 2017 will be held on 3 February at the Grandmaster’s Palace in
Valletta, Malta.
More information on the Malta Informal Summit 2017 can be found on the Council website.
Information on practical aspects for journalists can be obtained by consulting the webpage of
the Malta summit.
2.
Media Accreditation
Media representatives wishing to cover the Malta Informal Summit 2017 must apply for
accreditation. The accreditation procedure for this meeting is open, and journalists can apply
for media accreditation on-line until 27 January 2017.
Applicants will receive an email once they have been accredited.
Applications received later than the deadline are likely to be delayed or refused. By registering
before the deadline, you will avoid additional formalities and procedures. Please also allow due
time if you require a visa (see also section on visas).
For any queries regarding accreditation, please contact the Maltese Presidency at
[email protected] or +356 2540 2700.
3.
Collection of badges
Accreditation badges must be collected in person from the Media Accreditation Office at the
main entrance of the Media Centre which will be located at Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta, during the
following opening hours:



Wednesday 1 February
Thursday 2 February
Friday 3 February
08.00 - 17.00
08.00 - 00.00
06.00 - 00.00
When you collect your identification badge, you must present an identification document
together with the Media Accreditation Confirmation email.
No accreditation badge will be issued if you cannot present these documents.
Badges are personal and non-transferable and must be worn visibly all the time.
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 2
All participants will undergo various security checks.
4.
Visas
Journalists from non-EU countries must possess an appropriate valid Schengen Visa prior to
arriving in Malta. It is this person’s responsibility to access the visa website in order to obtain
the necessary application. This would need to be filed at the diplomatic mission of the main
destination or country of first entry into the Schengen area, or its representation. Journalists
must ensure that the application is lodged as soon as possible in order to ensure timely review.
Those needing a visa are requested to clearly indicate this in the registration form on the
Accreditation Portal. Upon successful completion of the process, a supporting letter confirming
accreditation to the meeting will be issued. The confirmation letter will need to be presented as
part of the documentation required when applying for a Schengen visa.
The relevant documentation may be obtained from Malta’s Central Visa Unit (CVU) portal:
https://identitymalta.com/visa-application
For further information, kindly contact Malta’s Central Visa Unit (CVU) on: +356 2204
2310/2421/2424 or [email protected]
When requesting a visa, applicants must ensure that their passport will remain valid for a
period of at least six months. It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure that their visa
applications are timely, travel documents are up to date and entry requirements for the
Schengen Area are met.
5.
Media Centre
The Media Centre will be located at Fort Saint Elmo in Valletta and will be equipped with
facilities for the press and audiovisual media. The opening hours are outlined above (section 3).
These can be extended according to the outcome of the meeting.
5.1
Working facilities for media
Workstations equipped with Ethernet, internet Wifi connection and power supply will be
provided. There will also be a limited number of telephone lines, ISDN connections and office
printing facilities. Additional seats will be provided in the lounge area with Wifi connection and
power supply. Workstations for audiovisual media will also be available in TV/radio editing
rooms (see below).
It should be noted that there will only be a limited number of laptops installed in the
workstation area to be used on a "first come first served" basis.
Closed-circuit television carrying Host Broadcaster pictures and press information will be in
operation throughout the Media Centre.
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 3
5.2
Reservation of work spaces for journalists
Media representatives may reserve work spaces by means of a label indicating their name and
media organisation. The press office of the Malta Informal Summit 2017 cannot reserve work
spaces.
Reserved spaces not occupied at the beginning of the proceedings may be taken by others.
5.3
Press Conference and National Press Briefings
The Press Conference and National Press Briefings will take place at the Mediterranean
Conference Centre in Valletta (adjacent to the Media Centre).
Access from the Media Centre to the Mediterranean Conference Centre will be free (5 minutes’
walk).
A map of the Valletta layout is annexed.
6.
Audio Visual
Full photo/video coverage of the Malta Informal Summit 2017 will be organised by the official
Host Broadcaster - Globecast. All Host Broadcaster footage in broadcast quality as well as a
selection of photographs will be available on http://www.eucouncil.tv.
7.
Media Programme: Photo/TV opportunities (subject to change)
The official arrivals and doorsteps will take place at the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta on 3
February. The Media will be escorted by bus from the Media Centre.
09:00 – 09.40
09:40 – 09:55
Arrival and Doorsteps (Grandmaster’s Palace)
> host broadcaster (live coverage) + media - access first come, first
served
Handshake by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, the President
of the European Council and the President of the Commission
(Grandmaster’s Palace)
> host broadcaster only
10.00 – 10:05
First Working Session: Roundtable (Grandmaster’s Palace)
12.45 – 13.00
Family Photo (weather permitting)
13:00
> host broadcaster (live coverage) + photo/TV only - Pool 1
> host broadcaster (live coverage) + photo/TV only - Pool 2
Photo opportunity: Upper Barrakka Gardens (weather permitting)
> host broadcaster (live coverage) + photo/TV only - Pool 3
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 4
7.1
16.00 – 16.05
Second working session - Roundtable (Grandmaster’s Palace)
18.00 – 18.30
Departures & Doorsteps (Grandmaster’s Palace)
18.30
Press Conference/National Press Briefings (Mediterranean Conference
Centre)
> host broadcaster (live coverage) + media – access first come, first
served
> host broadcaster + photo/TV only - Pool 4
> host broadcaster (live coverage) + media – access first come, first
served
Pool cards allocation
Media wishing to participate in pools should register interest to Globecast on email:
[email protected] by Thursday 2nd February at 12:00. Pool cards will
be allocated by the organisers in way to ensure an appropriate geographical coverage and on a
first come, first served basis. Please note that the number of available places is very limited.
Pool cards will be distributed at the Press Centre.
Please note the following incompatibilities:
- Pools 1 and 4 are incompatible with one another
- Pools 2 and 3 are incompatible with one another
Access to the doorstep area at the Grandmaster’s Palace and final Press Conference is free and
on a first come first served basis.
Transport for the media opportunities at the Grandmaster’s Palace will be provided. Electric
cabs will also be made available on a regular basis to and from the Grandmaster’s Palace as
required. Access on foot is also possible.
8.
Facilities for TV Stations
Globecast will be providing TV editing rooms with Wifi connections, equipped for reception of
the Host Broadcaster's TV signal.
Dedicated internet access ranging between 20 and 50 Mbps can be booked but charges will
apply
For services provided by the Globecast (distribution of signals, playouts, standups, multilateral
or unilateral transmission and reservation of editing rooms on a "first come, first served" basis),
please contact:
Globecast bookings
Tel: +27 11 482 2790
Fax: +27 11 482 2792
e-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 5
A limit of 1 booth per media will be applied.
9.
Facilities for Radio Stations
Globecast will be providing radio booths equipped with an ISDN Line and Wifi internet access.
Globecast will be responsible for the distribution of signals.
Additional connections must be booked directly and will be charged to the broadcaster.
Globecast bookings
Tel: +27 11 482 2790
Fax: +27 11 482 2792
e-mail: [email protected]
A limit of 1 booth per media agency will be applied.
10. Satellite Vehicle Parking / Booking of Stand-up positions
Parking places for satellite TV and radio broadcasting vehicles are located along Fort Saint
Elmo. An HD SDI pool feed will be made available in SNG car park. Broadcasters not selfproviding should book unilateral connections by 25th January 2017. Booking requests are to be
sent to [email protected].
In order to reserve a parking space, you must send your request for a parking permit to:
[email protected] by 25th January 2017 at the latest and include the
following information: vehicle size, power requirements, registration number, name of driver
and telephone number.
Permits for satellite vans will be issued by the security service, and any changes to the above
information after the deadline could result in difficulties or delays in gaining access.
Live stand-up positions will be located in the Media Centre overlooking the Grand Harbour. 2
stand-up positions will be operated by the Host Broadcaster and can be booked on a "first
come first served" basis, whilst a further 28 shelter and power only stand-up positions will be
made available for the media agencies for their use.
In both instances, advanced booking is essential. Please state your preference when booking.
The deadline is 25th January 2017.
Globecast bookings
Tel: +27 11 482 2790
Fax: +27 11 482 2792
e-mail: [email protected]
11. TV and photo newsroom
All Host Broadcaster footage can be downloaded in broadcast quality (MPEG-4 - 16/9 format)
on http://www.eucouncil.tv (arrivals, doorsteps, round table, family photo, departures and
press conferences).
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 6
A selection of photographs taken by Council photographers will be published on
http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/photos. The high-resolution photographs can be
downloaded and used free of charge for non-commercial use (provided the copyright "Malta
Informal Summit 2017" is mentioned).
12. Setup and Derigging
Broadcast media can deliver equipment to the media center on Wednesday 1st February and
Thursday 2nd February. Equipment must be de rigged and removed on Saturday 4th February.
For any technical questions please contact:
Globecast bookings
Tel: +27 11 482 2790
Fax: +27 11 482 2792
e-mail: [email protected]
13. Security Measures
The Malta Police Force will establish a security cordon around the Media Centre at Fort Saint
Elmo and the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. Access will be denied to anyone
without an accreditation badge and identity document.
14. Catering
Meals and refreshments will be available for journalists at the restaurant and lounge area set
up in the Media Centre at Fort Saint Elmo in Valletta.
15. Accommodation
Media representatives are responsible for booking and paying for their own accommodation.
For further details, kindly visit: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/where-to-stay.
Please bear in mind that hotels may be fully booked well in advance.
16. Transport
Please note that no transport will be organised from hotels to/from the Media Centre in
Valletta. Media representatives can find information on public transport in Malta on the
following website: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/getting-around
Transport during the Malta Informal Summit 2017 is explained under the “Photo/TV
Opportunities” section above.
17. Contacts
For any further information, please address your queries to the following email addresses:

[email protected]
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 7

[email protected]
Call Centre: +356 2540 2700
18. Other Practical Information
Important Numbers
Emergency
112
Ambulance
196
Police
(+356) 2122 1111 / 4001 / 4007
Mater Dei Hospital
(+356) 2545 0000
Passport Office:
Malta
(+356) 2122 2286
Time Zone
The time zone in Malta is Central European Time (GMT+1).
Currency
Currency in Malta is the Euro.
Country Code
In order to make a call to Malta, the country code is +356.
Using Money in Malta
There are several banks, bureaux de change and automated foreign exchange machines for the
exchange of money. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diner’s Club cards are accepted at
every establishment that accepts payment by credit card. If any of the following logos appear
on your card: Visa/Electron/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus/Solo/Maestro, you will be able to
withdraw money from the several ATMs around the island. It is important to check whether
your home bank has authorised your card for international use if you plan on using a debit
card.
Power Supply
230V ±10% electrical supply. Supply frequency is 50Hz.
Plug in use is the three-pin rectangular plug. Plug type in use is BS 1363. BS 4573 is used for
shavers. Adapters are widely available.
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 8
Climate
Winters in Malta are short, mild and windy with infrequent rain. The climate is a Mediterranean
one. February is typically fresh and warm clothes are advisable.
Languages
Both Maltese and English are official languages. English is widely spoken all over the Island,
followed by Italian.
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 9
[email protected]
Presidency Unit, The Grand Master’s Palace, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1115, Malta
Malta Informal Summit 2017
+356 2540 2700
Page 10