Prague Congress Center for CZK 25.1 million. Ministers would meet here – EURACTIV.cz
EU ministers could meet in the Prague Congress Center in the second half of next year. This would be done at informal ministerial councils within the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. In this context, the Government Office wants to award a contract in a negotiated procedure without publication, ie without a standard tender. The total estimated value of the contract is 25.1 million crowns. The material will be given to the cabinet for information at Friday’s meeting.
“The subject of the public contract is the lease of conference facilities, including the provision of necessary services inextricably linked to the lease and security of space for informal ministerial councils (a total of 14 events),” the government office said in a submission report available to CTK. These are services providing technology related to the security of the building and other items, such as parking, including charging stations for electric cars, locker rooms, toilets and lockers.
Specifically, 17.6 million crowns should go to the lease of conference rooms, and 7.5 million to related services. The Police Congress Center is familiar with many events, such as the previous EU Presidency in 2009 or the International Monetary Fund. Thus, according to the material, it can guarantee the safety of participants and ensure the protection of all security interests of the Czech Republic. The advantage is also good transport links and location.
According to the Government Office, the reason for awarding a contract in a negotiated procedure without publication is that the implementation of the tender procedure could endanger the protection of the basic security interests of the Czech Republic, namely the smooth running of top events within the presidency.
The government will also discuss on Friday, among other things, the provision of promotional items and protocol donations in connection with the presidency. According to the material available to ČTK, for example, prime ministers and presidents who take part in events at the highest level in the Czech Republic, they will receive a protocol gift, a badge, a compliment, a notepad, a pen and paper plates.
The heads of the informal Council delegations will receive a set of two glasses, representatives of the European Parliament and the European Commission, a glass and a carafe from the Rückl family glassworks. They will also receive a similar set of gifts as the presidents and prime ministers of the EU countries, such as a badge, notebook, pen, socks or paper plates.
Members of delegations of informal working groups held in the Czech Republic, but also VIP participants in conferences and other events according to the document will receive a canvas bag, pen, umbrella, pad, socks, boards, pencil and a postcard with a presidential stamp.
“The total estimated costs for promotional items and protocol gifts are estimated at CZK 12 million, which is less than half of the costs incurred during the first presidency in 2009, when the total costs amounted to 26.1 million crowns,” said the government office.