A
s pointed out by the President of the
European Commission, Mr. Barroso, 2014
will be the final year of the term of the cur-
rent College of Commissioners and a year of
European elections – therefore “a year of delivery
and implementation”. The plans of the Greek
presidency include the completion of the Banking
Union and the activation of the Compact for
Growth and Jobs. We are also expecting the
completion of work on justice-related issues, such
as privacy protection and the institution of the
“European Public Prosecutor's Office”, as well as
the completion of work on issues pertaining to
external cooperation, such as the new trade
agreement with the US and the negotiation of
new international rules for fighting the impact of
climate change.
Moreover, the Greek Presidency of the Council of
the EU will witness the implementation of major
policies that have already been decided upon.
The first concerns the activation of the
“Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020”,
which comprises programmes pertaining to
almost all areas of EU policy: from fighting youth
unemployment and dealing with immigration, to
the common agricultural policy, the support of the
less developed regions of the European Union
and the digital connection of a united Europe.
Trade with Greece
46
Greece Remains a
Hospitable and Dynamic
country, which is Gradually
Catching Up
By Panos Karvounis, Head of the Representation of the
European Commission in Greece
In the first half of 2014 Greece will be, for
the fifth time, at the helm of the Council
of the European Union. And the current
conjuncture not only is not adverse, as
quite often said, but on the contrary, may
prove to be rather fortunate both for
Europe and for the country itself.
