Prime Minister Antonis Samaras declared the official opening of Greece's EU presidency during an inaugural ceremony held in a packed Megaron Athens Concert Hall yesterday evening. The event was also addressed by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Government Vice-President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

Earlier in the day, the College of Commissioners had a working lunch atZappeion Megaron, followed by a plenary meeting between members of the Greek government and the Commissioners, chaired by Prime Minister Samaras and President Barroso. Afterward, separate cluster meetings took place between Commissioners and members of the Greek government. Finally, Samaras and Barroso met privately, and then the two officials made joint statements to the press.

Barroso said he was pleased to be in Athens “as Greece embarks on its fifth Council presidency – making it a very experienced pilot of the European Union.”

Government Vice-President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos briefed Brussels news media representatives on Greece’s previous rotating presidencies and their achievements; Greece as a member-state of Europe; European elections in May for a new European Parliament; this presidency’s priorities versus the country’s national priorities during the current financial crisis, and more.

The integrated management of sea and coastal tourism will be the focal point of Greece’s presidency in the EU for the tourism sector, according to an announcement by the Tourism ministry.

The presidency will work: to advance negotiations on the expected proposal by the Commission regarding the revision of the Visa Code; to promote the ongoing visa dialogues with third countries and to conclude pending and new Visa Facilitation Agreements; to move ahead with discussions regarding the proposal for a Directive on package travel and assisted travel arrangements, seeking to update the existing regulatory framework. Finally, the presidency will give due attention to developments on the initiative of the Commission under the umbrella European Tourism Quality Label. The initiative aims to increase consumer security and confidence in tourism products.

On March 14, the ministry will hold a high-level conference - titled “Intense On-line Marketing and New Tools: Challenges and Perspectives” - on sea and coastal tourism, to present the Commission’s program and discuss the challenges, issues and the opportunities in sea tourism. 

See also Greek National Tourism Organization: Press Release (8.01.2014, in Greek)