crisis, but also an active and efficient member of
the European Union and the euro zone and that
we rightfully deserve our position in Europe. It is
also an opportunity to surprise Europe and the
world positively.
The Greek presidency shall promote the debate
and the regulatory framework on key issues. The
underlying theme of the presidency’s initiatives
will be growth, jobs and competitiveness, all inex-
tricably linked together: Europe needs jobs, but to
have jobs we need growth; and in order to grow
we must be competitive. Areas such as Europe’s
industrial policy, trademarks, competition law, the
digitalization of public procurement, the function
of auditors, as well as monitoring the consumer
market, are directly linked to this triptych. Areas
such as foreign trade with the USA and the
enforcement of the EU’s trading rights worldwide,
as well as cohesion policy, play a more indirect,
but no less important role.
Obviously, these goals are linked with Greece’s
continuing effort to leave the crisis and its conse-
quences behind. For we know that all is not over
yet – it is a marathon we are running, not a sprint.
But we also know that our country has reached a
critical point, where recovery is near, although we
may not see it yet. It is at this point that we need
both the solidarity of our partners and determina-
tion on our part. We believe we have both, and
that the success of Greece is also the success of
Europe.
Trade with Greece
23
