GREECE TAKES HELM OF EU ON 1ST JANUARY 2014

Greece takes helm of thee EU at a critical time, just months before the end of the current European Parliament. This means that Greece will have less than 4 months to deliver on complicated dossiers, rather than the full six months.

More than 250 dossiers are still pending, but some will inevitably have to be put on the back burner. Accelerating the completion os the economic and monetary union figures at the top of the Greek agenda, as it is considered a key condition to restore liquidity which Athens promises to make progress on to banking union, but like most countries taking over the EU presidency it sees itself as an honest broker more than a deal-maker.

Greek Priorities

1. Full implementation of the Compact for Growth and Jobs through actions which will help promote development, ease access to loans for small businesses as well as the social impact of the crisis.
2. Deepening of the EMU process in deliberations regarding the banking union.
3. Tackling of illegal immigration and striking the right balance with the protection of human rights (cooperation with third countries in regards to migratory flows, increasing funding for EU countries that are facing heavier burdens and promoting common asylum policy).
4. EU maritime policy with emphasis put on security and growth.