Greece confident that its EU Presidency will leave a long-lasting mark

The first half of 2014 is extremely important both for Europe, and for Greece, Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Deputy PM and Minister of Interior, said.

“The first half of 2014 is vital for Europe, as the European Parliamentary elections will be held in May, but is also vital for Greece, because the country has to go out of the crisis,” Venizelos explained.

He is in Athens, where the official ceremony for Greece taking over the rotational Presidency of the Council of the EU would be held, with many official guests, including Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. Mr Venizelos promised that the Greek Presidency would leave a long-lasting mark.