Programme & Priorities - The Greek Presidency 2014 of the European Union

Greece will hold the Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2014, before handing over reins to Italy on 1 July 2014. It is the fifth time that Greece will hold the EU Presidency since its accession to the European Communities in 1981.

Read more about the Past Presidencies

Greece is assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a critical transitional juncture for Europe. The economic crisis forced the adoption of fiscal constraint policies aimed at ensuring financial stability and returning the economy to health. The extent and intensity of the crisis, as well as the resulting recession and unemployment undermined the trust of a significant number of European citizens in the ability of the European edifice to implement credible and effective policy for a return to prosperity, economic recovery and  high levels of employment. 
At the same time, facing up to the crisis by implementing policies of strict fiscal discipline has strongly impacted social cohesion, particularly in countries directly affected by the crisis. As such, the great challenge for prosperity and stability in the EU lies in reaffirming of the EU’s mission in the hearts and minds of European citizens.
In this context, Europe is currently being called upon to respond to the challenge of the economic crisis, to safeguard the common currency by deepening and reinforcing the EMU, while promoting direct policies tackling recession and unemployment by stimulating growth. European Parliament elections during the Greek Presidency are an additional factor determining the framework of this Presidency.
The priorities of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU were presented to the Greek Cabinet by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos on 7 August 2013, and were unanimously approved. There follows a brief presentation of the priorities of the Greek Presidency 2014.

Growth – Jobs - Cohesion

Further Integration of the EU - eurozone

Migration-Borders-Mobility

Maritime Policies