EU Council Summit

For the past two days, October 15-16, I've been absolutely consumed by the EU Summit. It's a two day long affair where The EU Council, highest political body of the EU (equivalent to executive branch so to speak), consisting of all the heads of state or Prime Ministers and the Commission President Barosso (right) come together to decide on major issues. Summits are scheduled four times a year, 2 per presidency. Each of the 27 countries take turns playing President for six months (how cute). Currently France holds the presidency with the ever so handsome Mr. Sarkozy (left) as team captain. Summits are held towards the beginning and end of every term. But as President, Sarkozy can call a team huddle whenever he wants. For example, there was a summit in early September in response to the Georgia crisis and now there will be another on November 7th in preparation for the summit in Washington on the global financial crisis.
I didn't get home from work yesterday until 1 a.m. and woke up a few hours later at 7 a.m. Needless to say we were busy, busy, busy! The place was INSANE! I've never seen SO many reporters and members of the press in my life! Imagine, press traveling in from every country represented in the EU, plus US press and other countries interested/involved. The entire foyer of the Council building which is usually wide open was completely packed (left).

My favorite part was getting to see all the heads of state. I even saw Yulia Tymoshenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine who was there to discuss financial issues. Her signature hairstyle is amazing and even more powerful in person lol. She's so fina, I love it! I also REALLY enjoyed all the free food, water, hot chocolate and cappuccinos. The EU really knows how to take care of its press. In the mornings was unlimited pastries, plain and chocolate croissants. During the day baguet sandwiches and by night a full blown buffet dinner. I chose lasagna for the first day and a nice juicy steak and french fries the next day. Don't get me wrong we ate like champs but we worked like slaves especially at the lovely intern position (winks sarcastically ;)

We covered some of the briefings and we booby trapped some of the PMs in the hallways for a soundbite after finishing their briefings. But we got the majority of the soundbites at the arrival and departure of both days. It was really cool to hear what all these big shots said or didn't say. I swear I kept shouting "¡Señor Zapatero! ¡Señor Zapatero!" to get a soundbite out of him but he never came over. I even yelled (in Spanish) "Just a quick question while your car comes, c'mon! We're not going to bite" Nothing. Boo to him! The majority of the time I was outside catching the soundbites but I also did some running of the tape to crash edit. I was only on stalker duty twice: where we stalk Reuters to make sure they're not covering something we're not. But it was cool cause while on stalker duty I sat in on British Prime Minister Brown's briefing :). I was also on "find a translator" duty twice which was actually kinda fun. Once to help translate a soundbite from Lech Kaczynski, Polish President and another to translate Tymoshenko's sounbite (in Ukranian). By the end of the second day, I was absolutely drained and swamped! My head felt like jello and I felt like a zombie aimlesly walking home. I hit that bed like a ton of bricks.

PS: Note how their physical appearance perfectly represents their country. I mean, Cowen couldn't look more Irish and Berlusconi Italian haha! I had so much fun. (Click pics to enlarge).