[1] The IPC was founded on an initiative by the Belgian Federal Government to improve its media capabilities.
It is an autonomous service of the General-Directorate for External Communications, which reports back to the Prime Minister's office.
It is based in Bloc-C of the Résidence Palace, a 1920s Art Deco building, on Rue de la Loi.
[2] The location was chosen for its close proximity to Belgian Federal Ministries, and EU institutions.
[3] The opening of the press centre coincided with the start of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU on 2 July 2001.