Speech by President Barroso on the Greek Presidency

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras presented his country's priorities for its six months at the European Parliament to MEPs on 15 January 2014. The presidency, which started on 1 January, will focus on boosting growth and jobs, the banking union and an immigration policy based on more solidarity.

At the start of the Parliamentary debate, President Barroso stressed the main priorities shared by the Commission and the Greek Presidency, and the strong determination of both to succeed. He also clarified the Commission's position on free movement of people and on the Single Resolution Mechanism.

Mr Barroso also called for an open idea of Europe, away from narrow and "chauvinistic" perspectives which might be seen, according to EurActiv, as criticism to the British stances on the EU.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Speech by President Barroso at the Opening ceremony of the Greek Presidency / Greece bets on EU presidency to help regain credibility http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-by-president-barroso-at-the-opening-ceremony-of-the-greek-presidency-greece-bets-on-eu-presidency-to-help-regain-credibility/

ESO: Background Information: Greece: EU Presidency, January - June 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/greece-eu-presidency-january-june-2014/

European Parliament: Press Release, 15.01.14: Greek presidency of the EU: MEPs express concern over economic situation in Greece http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140115STO32702/

EurActiv, 16.01.14: Barroso scolds ‘chauvinistic’ British attitude on immigration http://www.euractiv.com/uk-europe/barroso-scolds-chauvinistic-brit-news-532802

ESO: Background information: Nick Clegg backs 'eminently sensible' EU benefit changes http://www.europeansources.info/record/nick-clegg-backs-eminently-sensible-eu-benefit-changes/

Euronews, 15.01.14: Samaras defends Greece’s EU presidency http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/15/greece-s-prime-minister-antonis-samaras-has-defended-his-country-taking-over-/

EurActiv, 16.01.14: Barroso: We don't want first and second class citizens in Europe http://www.euractiv.com/video/barroso-dont-want-second-class-c-532811

EurActiv [Opinion], 14.01.14: Can we make sense of the UK immigration debate? http://www.euractiv.com/uk-europe/sense-uk-immigration-debate-analysis-532749

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