E.U. PRESIDENCY AND OLYMPICS SET GREECE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Greece’s location and its recent leading role in European policy making position the country on prime starting blocks for serious business expansion

GEORGE A. PAPANDREOU Minister of Foreign Affairs

In the countdown to the Athens 2004 Olympics, Greece is playing a proactive role in the Balkan region and leading the way towards future European Union integration.

Mr. George Papandreou, Minister of Foreign Affairs since 1999, replaced Costas Simitis as the PASOK party leader at a Party Congress on February 8, making him the new Prime Ministerial candidate for the national elections. As the most popular politician in Greece, Minister Papandreou highlights the major turnaround experienced by the Greek economy in recent years and advocates the strong involvement of Greece as a driving force in the region. Joining the Euro zone in 2001 was a decisive step for a country that was still on the path to development just a decade ago, but now ranks 23rd in the world in budget revenue. The country that cradled democracy now acts as a peacekeeping force in areas of conflict and is at the forefront of the reconstruction effort in the neighboring Balkans.

Mr. Papandreou draws attention to the agenda of the recent Greek presidency of the EU as being vital to dealing with the consequences of an enlarged Europe. “Establishing the foundations of a common foreign policy and creating a constitution for Europe was a major project during our Presidency,” he says.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs stresses that the goal of coherent European policy and development is to be able to speak on equal terms with the U.S., “not in a competitive way but in a way that can be complementary to each other in reaching stability and working towards world peace and democracy.”

During its presidency, Greece hosted important summits where the possibility of Balkan countries such as Croatia, Bosnia and Turkey eventually joining the EU was advanced. Mr. Papandreou is the Greek leader who has done the most to increase and strengthen relations with the neighboring Turkey, once Greece’s bitter rival. “Although Cyprus is still a delicate issue, Turkey is now gradually nearing the point of joining the EU.”

The fabric of Greek society has been transformed by the major changes in recent years. Greece has rapidly turned from being a country of emigration to a country of immigration, which has contributed to a 10% population increase in the last 10 years. “We have taken serious considerations on how to absorb and integrate immigrants so that they become citizens of our community and contribute to a multicultural society,” states Mr. Papandreou.
In addition to its importance as a political actor within Europe, Greece sees its position as a gateway to this area for U.S. investors, who could use the know-how of Greek companies as a stepping-stone to develop on-going business partnerships and ventures in a region that is set to thrive in the coming years. By nurturing an economy that is shifting from traditional industries to an increasing involvement in hi-tech, Mr. Papandreou states Greece is set to be the financial hub for this new part of Europe, “combining investment in technology, high quality tourism, and new areas such as conference tourism.”

The reconstruction of the Balkans is another area where Greece holds an advantageous position, according to the Minister. “The demand for infrastructure development will be a way to further boost the image of the region and its investment possibilities.”

As well as opening the door to the promotion of tourism and investment, the upcoming Athens Olympics in August 2004 will provide a stage for Greece to show its potential and progress to the world. Minister Papandreou, who is also vice-president of the Olympic Committee (I.O.C), emphasizes that the Olympics were originally more than just cultural and sporting event. “The Games provide an opportunity for peace; the Olympic Truce. Athens 2004 could contribute to a peaceful world consciousness.” In this spirit, Greece is ready to greet the internal challenges and opportunities of 2004, and is ready to prove its leading role as an economical and political hub in a greater Europe.