Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas briefed yesterday the Committee on European Affairs of the French National Assembly on the priorities of the Greek EU presidency.

He said that Greece is determined "not to allow the economic crisis in the country influence its institutional role in Europe in any way," and stressed that a successful presidency would help restore the prestige of the country. Kourkoulas highlighted development and employment as top priorities of the Greek EU Presidency and underlined the importance of EU's banking union as a challengig and important priority that would eliminate large differences in interest rates among EU countries.

He also met with French Deputy European Affairs Minister Thierry Repentin on the banking union issue. It is noted that a relevant report is to be presented to the French Parliament at the end of the month. The two politicians also participated in a lecture on the theme of "The vision of Greece and France for the future of the EU", at the "Sciences Po" school of political studies. Kourkoulas was also the keynote speaker at an event on the priorities of the Greek EU Presidency hosted by the French think-tank Maison de l’Europe.

The Deputy FM will wrap up his visit to Paris today (22-24.01) following a working breakfast with European Affairs secretary general Serge Guillon and the Secretariat's staff.