Press Release Contact: + 32 (0) 2 506 4000 Immediate Release 24 February 2006

BRUSSELS, 24 FEBRUARY 2006 — Tonight, Europe’s leading Brussels based free market think tank, the Centre for the New Europe (CNE), hosted its fourth annual Capitalist Ball. Four hundred guests from all over the world – including businessmen, diplomats, politicians, journalists, academics and free market activists – participated in the party

Held in central Brussels at the Concert Noble, guests at this prestigious black tie event were given a four course dinner, free drinks and dancing to a big swing band until late.

CNE’s President, Mr. Mattias Bengtsson, opened the event by stressing the importance of European and global co-operation between the supporters of the free market and the open society.

– And at this time of increasing talk of protectionism in Europe, we tonight honour one of the greatest proponents of free trade ever, the 19th century Frenchmen Frederic Bastiat, Mr. Bengtsson said.

The main speaker was Mr. Johan Norberg, globalisation expert and author of the worldwide best seller In Defence of Global Capitalism. At the Ball it was made public that Mr. Norberg has joined the Centre for the New Europe as a Senior Fellow.

The 2006 CNE Adam Smith Award for Lifetime Achievement was given to Dr. Chris R. Tame. Dr. Tame is the founder and Director of the Libertarian Alliance, Britain’s most radical free market and civil liberties think tank.