The new Council building, despite being ultra-modern, still needs technical adjustments.
The very first press conference that took place there on Friday 17 February after the Education Council had problems with sound. Interpretation via headphones for journalists broke down in the middle of the meeting and there was no sound at all for the online broadcast.
We understand that the Maltese Presidency was not particularly happy and is considering holding the press conference for the 20 February Competitiveness Council in the press room in the Juste Lipse building. A similar consideration is underway for US Vice President Mike Pence, who will soon make his first visit to the European institutions.
To reassure readers, during their round-the-table discussion, the education ministers are said to have greatly appreciated the modernity and bright colours of the new EUROPA building, which took nearly 12 years to build (see EUROPE 11684). A source tells us that they felt the building helped making meetings take place in a more relaxed ambiance than usual. (Original version in French Sophie Petitjean)