Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas participated today, Tuesday, 19 November 2013, in the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) in Brussels. The GAC looked at the European Commission Work Programme for 2014, the European Semester Roadmap, the Annual Growth Survey, and preparations for the 19-20 December European Council.
In his intervention, Mr. Kourkoulas pointed to the importance of the adoption by the European Parliament of the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, given that this development paves the way for faster absorption and utilization of funding that will contribute catalytically to promoting growth and employment in the EU and in Greece. Mr. Kourkoulas stressed that the creation of new jobs and growth must be the focus of the EU’s policies.
Regarding the European Commission’s Work Programme for 2014, Mr. Kourkoulas made special reference to the fact that the Programme emphasizes the promotion of measures for growth, employment and the completion of the banking union – goals with which the upcoming Greek Presidency fully agrees.
Finally, Mr. Kourkoulas congratulated Ireland on its successful emergence from the Macroeconomic Stability and Growth Programme and recourse to international markets, underscoring the fact that Ireland is showing the way for other countries that are in similar programmes.
November 19, 2013