Three British teenagers attended last week's EU summit after winning a British Council essay-writing competition on the theme 'What has the EU ever done for me?' Below we publish their impressions of their trip
Arriving in Brussels
Richard Stockwell (13)
December 15: Today was our first day at the EU Council, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I anticipated a quiet room of bored-looking journalists with little to do, but in fact the whole building was a hive of activity. Everybody seemed to have a purpose, something they needed to do. A big red mark on the sides of their faces showed where their mobile phones had been stuck all day, and their fingertips were glued to laptops. I assumed most of them chose to turn down a career in rugby, as they barged their way to the front of the scrum of other journalists when a spokesman appeared. They used any means possible to get their Dictaphones within range; one man slid his along an overhead grating with his pencil, to gain those extra couple of inches.
We went in and out of the press centre plenty of times so we could show off our passes. The teachers seemed to enjoy this greatly, as it gave them a chance to wield some power! Today we're off to the EU parliament, to see the heads of state arrive and have a guided tour around the famous buildings. We might even get a chance to see Monsieur Chirac!
Read Richard's prize winning essay
An interview with Douglas Alexander?
Simon Quarrell (15)
December 15: Today we interviewed Douglas Alexander, the UK minister for Europe. When I say "interviewed" we more or less got interviewed by him: we were asked more questions about ourselves and the other competition winners. We managed to ask one question: what do you think the EU does for you? Peace was his main idea. He did say something interesting, that New Labour is interested in young people's views and likes talking to them. Do you think he says the same thing to middle-aged and elderly people? I admit it wasn't right to say that but I have to write something. Although this isn't an entirely polite report, it is just about to be polite: Douglas Alexander is a very nice man, he was taken away from dinner to speak to us, and dinner is very important when quite a lot of discussions go on. He was very polite, he listened to us, looking and sounding interested. So speaking, let's call it, to Douglas Alexander is very enjoyable.
Read Simon's prize-winning essay
Our meeting with the Finnish foreign minister
Clare Mc Manus (14)
December 15: Today Richard, Simon and I met the Finnish foreign minister, Erkki Tuomioja and asked him for his views on Britain's EU rebate. He said that he understands the historical reasons for the rebate and that "nobody will call for a total reduction of the rebate" but that what the UK government has proposed "is not yet enough". He also said that he feels the rebate is not sustainable in the long run and that everybody will expect a "slightly more forthcoming proposal" from the UK government.
We also asked him about the public opinion of the EU in Finland. He said that when Finland joined the EU, 57% of the people said yes and 43% said no to membership. Today, he feels that about a third of Finnish people are still sceptical about the EU, but there is "not much open opposition". Going further, he said that Finnish people have a "pragmatic view" underpinned by the wish to have a new basic treaty.
Finland is due to hold the presidency of the European Union in the second half of next year. This will be its second presidency since it joined 10 years ago in 1995. Mr Tuomioja feels it will be different this time round due to an increased membership of 25. In his view this may make it easier to concentrate on the issues at hand.
After a nervous introduction I found our interview thoroughly enjoyable. Erkki Tuomioja was very approachable and extremely friendly. He seemed very relaxed compared with the frenzied press activity outside the office. I found the experience extremely informative and am very proud to have been involved in such an important event.
Read Clare's prize-winning essay
Waiting for news of the deal
Simon Quarrell (15)
December 17: The wait was horrible, you just couldn't do anything. You were desperate for something to do, but you couldn't actually be bothered to do it.
Everyone was in the same boat; the photographers were so bored they took pictures of people sleeping!
There was just a huge lingering going on. It was a good contrast because you could see the reporters running around in the chaos in the morning and then in the night/next morning there was just boredom and relaxation. Then there was just total shut down: it was like watching a human form of hibernation.
Journalists were going off to have dinner, making sure their mobiles were fully charged so that if/when the deal happened they could make a mad dash for it. The teenage press drank a lot of Coca-Cola to stay awake.
Some people said the politicians delayed the final briefing just for the drama and tension, so that it looked as if there was something drastic and it would be reported as: "After long talks the battle was over. The way they have behaved is truly brave." Whether that is true is anyone's guess but rumours were flying all over the place.
Then at 2.09am the fireworks went off. Reporters and photographers filed in and set up their cameras. It was a mass of clicking and flashing. At 2.23am Tony Blair, Jack Straw and Manuel Barroso, the president of the EU Commission, came in.
It is one thing to see these people on TV, but it's another to see them in the flesh. My mouth was wide open in awe. Afterwards, when we attempted to discuss it I could barely say anything I was so speechless.
The room was filled with chatter before they came, but as they entered there was an orderly hush and only the clicking and flashing of cameras could be heard.
It took me by surprise how humorous and relaxed they all were. They said "Good evening" and Tony joked "well, good morning". They apologised for the wait, but I think it was worth it.
Ahmad Arbad
A fourth winner, Ahmad Arbad, was unable to attend the summit
