Press Release Contact: Dr Tim Evans (President, CNE) + 32 (0) 2 506 4000 or +44 07956 969523, tim.evans@cne.org Immediate Release 02 February 2005

BRUSSELS, 18 FEBRUARY 2005 — Tonight, Europe's leading Brussels based free market think tank, the Centre for the New Europe (CNE) hosted its annual Capitalist Ball for more than 350 guests - including a glittering array of politicians, journalists, academics and free market activists.

Held in central Brussels, guests at this prestigious black tie event, were given a four course dinner, free drinks and dancing to an 18 piece swing band until 2am.

CNE's President and Director General, Dr. Tim Evans, opened the event by asserting:

"Today, Europe continues to suffer from the twentieth century legacy of statism. As a consequence, unemployment is high, growth is low and every state service from health and welfare to education and policing is deemed by consumers to be increasingly failing. Too many people today still believe in the coerced society - in taxation, government regulation and widespread social engineering. While libertarians know that such policies are the road to hell - not least for the poorest and the most vulnerable in our societies - the disaster continues.

"One hundred years ago this month the great philosopher and free market campaigner Ayn Rand was born. An inspiration to many in our movement, she was well aware of the disastrous intellectual tide of her age. Today, we might not yet be winning the policy war - but slowly the intellectual tide is beginning to turn in our direction. In print, in the media, on the web, and amongst many young people the message of liberty is spreading. The really good news is if you go from Moscow to Dublin, and from Sweden to Greece, there are now more than 120 active free market think tanks in Europe. Their impact, success and following are growing every year. In time, they will be successful."

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CNE Awards At the annual CNE awards ceremony, a key feature of the Capitalist Ball, four awards were presented:

1. Jacob Arfwedson was given the award for the most downloaded CNE publication of 2004: Parallel Trade in Pharmaceuticals.

2. Dr. Wilfred Prewo was given the award for the most popular CNE hard copy publication of 2004: From Welfare State to Social State.

3. Lord Harris of Highcross and Arthur Seldon received their 2004 CNE Adam Smith Awards for lifetime achievement.

4. Professor Jesus Huerta de Soto received the 2005 CNE Adam Smith Award for lifetime achievement.