Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas participated today, Tuesday, 25 June 2013, in the proceedings of the EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg.
The GAC looked at preparations for the upcoming European Council, on 27 June, and in that context held via teleconference an exchange of views with EU President Herman Van Rompuy.
The European Council, which will be attended by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, will look at direct measures for confronting unemployment – particularly youth unemployment – and for increasing the funding of the European economy, particularly SMEs. The Council will also explore ways to utilize the €120 billion being provided by the European Investment Bank for supporting fast action growth measures within the framework of the Agreement on Growth and Employment.
Finally, the Foreign Ministers discussed the next steps in Serbia’s accession course and the prospects for concluding an Association Agreement with Kosovo. Mr. Kourkoulas reiterated Greece’s stance in favor of an immediate decision on the opening of accession negotiations with Serbia.
June 25, 2013