Biscuitman

Eurocrats to splash out millions on 50-day golden jubilee party
By Justin Stares in Brussels
(Filed: 29/10/2005)

How many Eurocrats does it take to organise a party? Preparations have just
begun for the European Union's golden jubilee celebrations: 50 days and nights
of back-to-back festivities.

On March 25, 2007, the Treaty of Rome, the founding document of the EU, will be
half a century old. Brussels believes that this is such a key event that
planning began last week, 17 months in advance.

The EU, together with the local Brussels government, envisages a massive
programme of concerts, carnivals and firework displays.

Sophie Goeminne, who represents the Brussels government on the jubilee
celebrations steering committee, said: "We are looking at a series of events
around March 25, possibly starting on that date and running until May 9.

"This will be our way of bringing the EU closer to its citizens."

At the first steering committee meeting, chaired by Ms Goeminne and attended by
the European Commission, the parliament, the EU council of ministers and the
Belgian state, participants talked of the need to get as many people involved as
possible.

The second meeting, scheduled for December, will be expanded to include extra
layers of local government and more obscure EU bodies, such as the economic and
social committee.

By next year, the steering committee will have split INTO phpbb_sub-groups to discuss
individual items, including funding. Ms Goeminne said no budget had yet been
set, but Thetys, an events organiser in Brussels, said a rolling schedule of
events on this scale, involving visiting dignitaries, is likely to cost
millions, even before security costs.

Colin Gotovich, a consultant with the company, said accommodation, catering,
sets, artists and fireworks all had to be taken INTO phpbb_account, "though if you
didn't have to put people up in hotels you could possibly do it for less".

The rush to pump public money INTO phpbb_the celebrations has already drawn criticism.
Syed Kamall, a Conservative MEP for London, said: "I have no objection to people
partying as long as it doesn't waste taxpayers' money. I personally don't get
involved as I'm here to work."

The 2007 events will be in stark contrast to the EU's silver anniversary
celebrations in 1982 when Brussels held no party. The one "solemn ceremony" to
mark the anniversary was postponed by four days to coincide with the start of a
summit.

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IF THE EU WAS THE ANSWER, IT MUST HAVE BEEN A STUPID QUESTION!

Bluemerle

Whose going to organise the wake????