On 1 October 2013, Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas presented the Political Priorities of the upcoming Greek EU Presidency to a delegation from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament.
Mr. Kourkoulas described the framework in which Greece is assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU, and he made special reference to the unfavourable repercussions of the economic crisis for employment and social cohesion.
Mr. Kourkoulas stressed that “given the difficult economic state of affairs, the Greek Presidency will be sparing and fully functional. Greece has already organized four completely successful Presidencies in the past, and it is ready to repeat this accomplishment.”
Referring to the priorities of the Greek Presidency, Mr. Kourkoulas underscored that they will include three basic thematics – 1) Growth, Employment, Cohesion; 2) Deepening of the Union/Integration of the Eurozone; 3) Migration, Borders and Movement – while maritime policy issues will comprise a fourth, separate, horizontal priority.
Finally, Mr. Kourkoulas remarked on the importance the Greek Presidency attaches to the promotion of the Banking Union as a packet of measures that will work as a catalyst for a definitive exit from the economic crisis.
October 2, 2013