| Notice to the Press Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC November 8, 2007 Special Briefing by Al Hubbard and Günter Verheugen on the First Meeting of the Transatlantic Economic CouncilOn Friday, November 9, at 2:15 p.m (EDT), National Economic Council chairman Al Hubbard and European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen will provide a read-out of the first meeting of the Transatlantic Economic Council. This on-the-record, on-camera briefing will take place in the State Department’s Press Briefing Room (2209).
The Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) was established by President Bush, Chancellor Merkel, and the European Commission President Barroso who signed the Framework for Advancing Transatlantic Economic Integration at the April 30, 2007, U.S-EU summit. The aim of the TEC is to oversee joint efforts to lower barriers to trade and investment between the United States and the European Union. The TEC is meeting for the first time on Friday, November 9, co-chaired by National Economic Council chairman Al Hubbard and European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen. Other members of the TEC include Secretaries Paulson, Gutierrez, Chertoff, and Chao, USTR Schwab, EPA Administrator Johnson, and their counterparts in the European Commission. The EU Presidency will be represented by Portuguese Minister for Economy and Innovation Manuel Pinho. At the press briefing, Al Hubbard and Günter Verheugen will describe accomplishments in the work plan under the Framework (which the TEC oversees) and expectations for the future. Media representatives may attend this briefing upon presentation of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued media identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport). Media should arrive at the 23rd street entrance of the State Department at 1:45 p.m. (EDT) if they wish to attend the briefing. 2007/981 |
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