Shiny new NATO center is open - but empty

Take note – story published 8 years ago

NATO's new Strategic Communications Center of Excellence was opened amid much fanfare on August 20 with a presidential ribbon-cutting ceremony and champagne in the car park.

But it turns out there was a good reason the VIPs were kept outside the dazzlingly white building - it's not actually ready yet.

LSM reported Friday that though 21 people are now offically employed at the Kalnciema Street premises, building work is continuing to fit out the interior and staff are in fact fulfilling their duties in the temporary office space provided for them at the Defense Ministry.

STRATCOM spokeswoman Linda Curika told LSM the work on the building was almost finished and that relocation to the new facility would take place in coming weeks, without giving a specific date.

The somewhat pre-emptive opening ceremony took place because it was the only available day when invitees would be able to attend, she explained while admitting that it had originally been hoped that building work would be finished in June.

Despite the embarrassing delay, the work of the center is unaffected. It has been operational for a year and is engaged mainly in NATO-relevant academic research on media and related issues.

 

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