Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs for European Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis made reference to the role and the results of the Portuguese Presidency during an event of the Portuguese Embassy today.
On the occasion of the end of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union Council, Mr. Varvitsiotis noted that it coincided with a period of recovery from a prolonged crisis and proved that Europe can develop innovative solutions. “It has contributed to the strengthening of European Solidarity and coordination”, he said.
Regarding the recent European initiatives to combat the pandemic and its effects on the economy, the Alternate Minister underlined the key decision to introduce the Green Digital Vaccination Certificate, following a proposal by the Prime Minister. He also referred to the Next Generation EU funding instrument and in particular to the Greek plan which has received praise from our partners, while the first disbursements are expected to be made in the summer.
Furthermore, Mr. Varvitsiotis made particular reference to the Social Agenda of the Portuguese Presidency, reflected in the Declaration of the Porto Social Summit, in which he participated together with Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In fact, as he pointedly said, the final text of the declaration largely reflects the Greek proposals which he submitted to the Portuguese Presidency.
He also stressed the importance of the opening of the Conference on the Future of Europe, noting that the Greek ceremony at Zappeion for the 40 years of Greece – EU, “appealed to the wider European public.”
Finally, Mr. Varvitsiotis did not fail to make specific mention of the special contribution of his Portuguese counterpart Ana Paula Zacarias, whom, as he said, he will be happy to welcome at the EU-Med7 Ministerial Meeting, to be held in Athens on Friday.