Deputy FM Dimitris Kourkoulas presented yesterday the priorities of the Greek Presidency of the European Council at a handover press conference that took place in Brussels, together with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, who reviewed the outcoming presidency. After congratulating Lithuania for its great work during its presidency, Kourkoulas noted that "the big challenge for the European Union now is to reaffirm its mission at the minds and hearts of its citizens."

He then highlighted the top priorities of the Greek EU Presidency, which include the promotion of growth and employment, the further deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union, tackling illegal migration with respect for human rights by promoting legal migration and mobility, a horizontal maritime policy, as well as enlargement.


Moreover, the deputy minister said that a total of 14 ministerial meetings, 35 high-level meetings, 57 working group meetings and 33 conferences and seminars will take place in Athens in the first half of 2014, emphasizing on the cost-efficient aspect of the forthcoming Greek EU Presidency.

EC-Audiovisual Services: Lithuanian/Greek EU Presidency Handover press conference[VIDEO]