Environment, Energy & Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis outlined the Greek EU Presidency's priorities on energy issues, while addressing the EU Energy Council in Brussels on December 12. He referred to three milestone deadlines, namely, the 2014 goal as regards the completion of the internal energy market, the 2015 goal to link all member-states with the European natural gas and power networks, and the anticipated 2015 International Climate Change Agreement.

As regards energy and climate change, the Greek presidency will promote EU policies with a horizon beyond the year 2020, based on the European Commission proposal on the 2030 framework for climate and energy policies to be discussed in the Energy Ministers' Council on March 4, 2014 and then in the European Council also in March.

Minister for Rural Development and Food Athanasios Tsaftaris met with Commissioner for Health and Consumers Tonio Borg in Athens on December 12, and presented Greek priorities in the field of agriculture and fisheries during the EU presidency.


There has been an agreement from both sides on all issues to be addressed during the Greek presidency. Special emphasis was given to the discussions and forthcoming legislation on plant health and animal health, reproductive material and food safety issues.

Presenting the priorities of Greece’s European Union presidency in the first half of 2014, Deputy Minister of Development and Competitiveness Notis Mitarakis told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington on December 13 that growth, employment and cohesion will be the main pillars in Greece’s objectives. Furthermore, the Greek presidency will attempt to revitalize Europe's stagnant economy through a renewed US-EU partnership.

According to the minister, the areas on which Greece will focus further EU integration and banking union, migration, a comprehensive approach to maritime affairs and boosting trade.

He explained that trade can be boosted through promoting negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the U.S. and the EU, promoting dialogue within the World Trade Organisation and strengthening trade with non-EU Mediterranean countries.