AFR The Opening of the Danish EU Presidency – Events on 30 June 2002
28.06.02
On 1 July 2002, the Danish EU Presidency will begin.
The Government celebrates the start of the Danish EU Presidency with a number of events on 30 June 2002.
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At 3:00 PM, the Prime Minister will welcome 100 young people from the EU Member States, the applicant countries and the Balkans at Marienborg. The young people are in Denmark to participate in Youth 2002, an event involving 1000 young people aged between 18 and 25. The young people will convene at 13 folk high schools to discuss the future of Europe.
On the occasion of the visit, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen states:
”These young people come to Denmark to discuss the Europe of the future. It is very important that young people from all of Europe show commitment to and interest in our common future. Seasoned politicians, myself included, must listen and pay attention to the views they express. I look forward to welcoming them to Denmark and, later, to learning of the outcome their visit will produce.”
There will be photo opportunities during the event at Marienborg.
Press cards must be clearly visible.
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On the same day at 5:00 PM, Tivoli will be the scene of the official opening of a cultural festival organised by the candidate countries, the Danish Government and Tivoli. The cultural festival marks the start of the Danish EU Presidency. Eleven of the applicant countries have agreed to present the very best their national cultures offer.
Through the festival, Danes have a unique opportunity to discover and enjoy dance, theatre, classical music, rock, folk and jazz performances that may not normally be experienced in Denmark.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen states:
'The enlargement of the EU is at the very top of the agenda for Denmark’s EU Presidency. I am therefore highly pleased that we can celebrate the beginning of the Presidency with a cultural festival in which the applicant countries present some of their cultural treasures, ranging from the classical repertoire to the very modern, and furthermore in Tivoli, which holds a great position in our Danish cultural heritage.' The opening event of the cultural festival will take place between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, with a performance by Estonian VLY. Minister for Foreign Affairs Per Stig Møller will deliver the official opening speech.
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The day will end with a dinner in Tivoli, at which the Prime Minister will be host to, among others, President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, President of the European Commission Romano Prodi and the foreign policy co-ordinator of the EU, Mr Javier Solana.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen states:
”The forthcoming EU Presidency poses great challenges. Denmark has spent a long time making thorough preparations for this grand task, and we now look forward to getting started. There is so little time, and so much to do. Without co-operation between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council, we shall not be able to succed.
I am, therefore, delighted to welcome representatives of these institutions to celebrate the beginning of the Danish Presidency. We look forward to good and fruitful co-operation throughout the coming six months.”
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In connection with the Opening Banquet there will be photo opportunities at the following events:
- The Prime Minister’s reception of President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, President of the European Commission Romano Prodi and the foreign policy co-ordinator of the EU, Mr Javier Solana at 7.00 PM at the main entrance of Tivoli.
- The Prime Minister’s welcoming speech at the dinner at the restaurant Divan 2, at approximately 7:20 PM.
- The stroll in the garden: between 10 and 11 PM, Tivoli Managing Director Lars Liebst will accompany Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, President of the European Commission Romano Prodi and the foreign policy co-ordinator of the EU, Mr Javier Solana, who will attend the performance of artists from the applicant countries at the cultural festival.
Press cards must be clearly visible.
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Further information: Jesper Fersløv Andersen, (+45) 33 92 22