If your reporting touches NATO, the Council, the European Parliament or the European Commission, API-IPA’s annual newcomers crash course is back. We’re hosting our traditional briefing for correspondents on how the press services of NATO, the Council, European Parliament and the European Commission actually work — and how to make them work for you.
The half-day workshop is tailor-made for colleagues who have arrived in Brussels within the past 12 months. But it also doubles as a rare meet-and-greet with spokespersons and press officers — the people behind the podium.
Browse the programme and pick your slot: senior press officials from the European Commission, the Council of the EU, the European Parliament and NATO will walk through the mechanics, the rhythms and the dos and don’ts of their operations.
API-IPA has been running these briefings since 2014, helping newcomers find their footing. That’s thanks to the continued engagement of dozens of spokespersons — and the generous support and hospitality of the Residence Palace and Isabelle Hoberg.
And credit where it’s due: the driving force behind the briefings is former Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung correspondent Michael Stabenow.
- When: Monday, 2 March 2026, 09:00–13:00
- Where: International Press Center Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155 – Maelbeek Room, ground floor.
Registration
Correspondents are asked to register preferably via tinyurl.com/api-newcomers by Wed 25 February. Please inform other colleagues who may be interested
Programme
09:00–09:05
Welcome and introductory remarks
09:05–10:00
The European Commission Spokesperson’s Service
Paula Pinho, Chief Spokesperson, European Commission
Inita Saveljeva, Press Assistant for Media Accreditations
10:05–11:00
The press, the Council of the EU and the European Council
Emma O’Driscoll, Press Officer, Council of the European Union
11:00–11:20
Break, including a presentation of the Résidence Palace
Isabelle Hoberg, Business Manager
11:20–12:10
Covering Nato
Daniele Riggio, Press Officer, Media Operations, Nato HQ
Nikki Medanovic, Press Officer, Accreditations
12:15–13:05
The European Parliament’s media policies
Neil Corlett, Head of Unit, Media Relations Unit, European Parliament
Emilie Tournier, Deputy Spokesperson, European Parliament
REGISTRATION
Please register by Friday 25 February 2026:
https://tinyurl.com/api-newcomers
CONTACT
International Press Centre ‘Résidence Palace’
Bloc C, Office 2.223 (2nd floor)
Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 235 2224
Email: info@api-ipa.org
Web: www.api-ipa.org