President Barroso at the VLT

Following the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States–European Union (CELAC–EU) in January 2013, ESO’s Paranal Observatory was honoured with a visit from the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. The President was taken on a tour of the observatory by Tim de Zeeuw, ESO’s Director General, where he admired the four 8.2-metre telescopes which comprise the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the most advanced optical/infrared telescope in the world. He also toured Paranal’s award-winning Residencia, the observatory’s accommodation and office building.

The picture, shows President Barroso in the centre along with the ESO Director General, Tim de Zeeuw. The telescope of the VLT appears behind them.