Today, October 5th, 2009, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer starts his five-country visit to Europe. By the end of this week, Ballmer is scheduled to tour the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Netherlands. According to Microsoft, the CEO’s tour debuts today, October 5th and will last until October 9th. The kickoff of the five-day European visit will be marked in London. In the UK Ballmer will deliver a keynote at the Confederation of British Industry. The Redmond company noted that the Microsoft CEO would also be available for a Q&A session.

“Tuesday October 6 – Paris, France – Steve will take part in a roundtable with Windows developer bloggers,” Microsoft noted. “Steve then takes part in major consumer news conference details. He’ll also meet with INRIA, France’s institute for research in computer science, during which he’ll outline the importance of this research partnership. Steve will then formally open Microsoft’s new Issy office in Paris, a state-of-the-art facility in an opening ceremony involving CEOs, executives, media and VIPs.”

On Wednesday October 7 in Berlin, Germany, Ballmer will appear at an industry event designed for IT professionals. The Microsoft CEO will offer the audience insights on the benefits and reasons for Windows 7. In addition, Ballmer is set to answer the questions of five local consumers in an online interview on MSN.de.

The following day, Ballmer will visit Italy. Microsoft indicated that the CEO will deliver a news conference in Milan revealing new consumer partnerships. The tour will come to an end on October 9th. In the Netherlands Ballmer will attend an event at The Hague Center of Congress. In addition, the Microsoft CEO will also speak to 500 students and academics at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam.

“Steve will be talking about Microsoft’s economic multiplier effect as one of the most innovative companies in the world, including the launch of a research study by IDC which looks at the economic impact of Microsoft, its partners and the broader IT industry and the role they will play in economic recovery. He’ll be talking about the importance of investment in research and development as a key driver of the kind of innovation and productivity that will help create economic opportunity throughout Europe,” Microsoft added.