Star billing at summit

Date: 01/05/1997

The Committee of the Regions has pulled off something of a public relations coup by attracting an international star to provide the entertainment at the end of its summit in Amsterdam next month.

None other than opera virtuoso José Carreras has been booked to sing for delegates on 16 May, raising the question of whether the other more established EU institutions might take a tip from the newcomer and start signing up rock stars and top comics to round off the increasing annual tally of summits, conclaves and emergency dinner parties that Euro-politics calls for.

But how did the CoR develop sufficient clout - and budget funds - to attract Carreras to take part in the event? Because the star is a chum of CoR President Pasqual Maragall. Like they say, it's not what you know but who you know that counts.