The French presidency of the European Union has today given assurances to the International Press Association (API-IPA) that the problems relating to the infrastructure and practical organisation of informal ministerial meetings held in France will not be repeated.

During a meeting with an API delegation led by chairman Lorenzo Consoli, the French minister for European affairs, Mr. Jean-Pierre Jouyet and the secretary general of the French EU presidency, Mr. Claude Blanchemaison, have declared that clear instructions have been given to ministries and organisations responsible for upcoming meetings in France in order to assure appropriate working conditions for journalists.

In future for each meeting held in France the presidency will name a person responsible for the organisational matters in the press room. This person will serve as contact point for API on the spot.

As far as the reimbursement of the expenses caused by the last minute change of venue from Evian to Paris of the EU-Ukraine meeting of Tuesday 9 September is concerned, the presidency will communicate very soon contact details of the person who will deal with the invoices of costs incurred for this event.