Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas participated at a joint press conference in Brussels, on 18 December, together with Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, whose country is handing over the Presidency of the Council of the EU to Greece in 12 days.

Minister Kourkoulas praised Lithuania's efforts in tackling European and global issues. "The job is well done by Lithuania. We know that Europe goes through a crucial transitional period and the high level of unemployment has eroded the confidence of EU citizens. The big challenge of the EU is to reaffirm its mission to the hearts and minds of its people" - noted minister Kourkoulas.

Greece has already done four successful presidencies and now it will work towards deepening the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), dealing with unemployment, as well as with migration issues, policy areas that constitute the core of the priorities of the Greek presidency. Minister Kourkoulas also stressed that Greece takes account of the tight financial situation in Europe and in Greece itself and, as he said, “we’ll try to do a non-expensive but efficient Presidency”.

He further noted that the fact that a country like Greece which was at the epicentre of the crisis now assumes the Presidency is a confirmation of the institutional equality of all Member States, which is one of the most important principles and foundations of the European Union.