H.E. Ms Diana Zagorianou-Prifti:

I was talking about migration, borders and mobility. The Hellenic Presidency will promote the implementation of the common European asylum system and will plan an emphasis on solidarity measures and the need to increase European funding to assist those member states which have most been affected by migration. Respect of obligations deriving from international treaties and EU law is imperative in this effort. As "mobility" is a broader term than "migration", it is necessary to link the external dimension of migration with interrelated policies - such as visa policies, strategic partnerships, EU competitiveness and a common migration policy - that are capable of contributing to the implementation of the Europe 2020 agenda. The task force for the Mediterranean that we decided to form at the European Council in October is an important first step in the right direction to agree that the problem should be addressed to the extent possible at the place of origin. The task force should present its results before the end of the year. In light of the fast-approaching end of the 2010-14 Stockholm programme, the Hellenic Presidency will work on formulating the strategic vision and laying the priorities of EU relevant policies covering the years between 2014 and 2018, founded on solidarity, joint responsibility and co-operation between member states. The development of the freedom, security and justice area has been and will continue to be a major objective for the Union.

Today as Europe is being plagued by the economic crisis, it is essential to reinforce the common European policy on the areas of justice and home affairs. Such a common policy must be founded on solidarity, joint responsibility and co-operation between member states.
Being a traditionally maritime country, Greece recognises the great potential that marine and maritime activities have in terms of benefiting the EU economy as a whole in a sustainable way. At the same time, Europe has obvious strategic interests that justify the urge to bring to the fore and deal with security problems involving the management of sea borders. In this context, Greece introduces a horizontal thematic that will run through all four of the Presidency's priorities, namely EU maritime policy. The main idea is to redefine and restart EU maritime policy in all its aspects, not solely confined to issues of growth and development as initiated in the Limassol declaration pronounced during the Cypriot Presidency in 2012.
Our objective will be the adoption of a text on maritime policy-strategy at the June 2014 European Council highlighting two dimensions: security and growth. In this context, the Hellenic Presidency will focus its efforts on the following actions. They include building on the integrated maritime policy in the marine and maritime agenda for growth and jobs, including seabed mapping, blue energy, aquaculture, blue biotechnology, environmental issues and exploitation of marine mineral resources, as well as developing the indigenous energy resources of the European Union as an additional factor in reducing Europe's energy dependence; pushing for the implementation of maritime spatial planning; updating the EU maritime strategy on maritime transport in light of the recent international developments; and adopting the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, EUSAIR, December 2012 EC Conclusions. Maritime and marine growth, transport, environment and tourism are the four pillars of EUSAIR. The Commission is expected to adopt the communication and the action plan during spring 2014. The Hellenic Presidency considers the EU macro-region strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian seas region an important priority and in this context will organise a ministerial meeting. The actions also include shaping a European maritime security strategy. The preparations for shaping an actual EU maritime security strategy are under way. Our goal is the adoption of the strategy during our Presidency at the June 2014 European Council. Other actions include promoting co-operation and synergies of coast guard services, promoting nautical and coastal tourism and dealing appropriately with the sensitive but ultimately important issue of European security of sea-borne migration. Our goal is to promote this issue, inter alia, in the framework of the third priority - migration, borders, mobility.
Our aim is to co-operate closely with all partners that share the same strategic interests and to promote strategies and policies that will benefit all EU member states. The sea is an area of privilege in terms of knowledge and action for Greece and is an inexhaustible source of growth and prosperity for the whole of Europe. While the dissolution of the European Parliament in May means that we have a tight schedule to keep during the first trimester of our Presidency, as far as legislative work is concerned, the second trimester is going to be equally busy as it provides a good opportunity to have political-strategic debates on the most pressing issues and reach political guidance and direction for the next trio Presidency. Already, we are working very closely with Italy in order to have a smooth transition from one trio Presidency to another and to ensure that the necessary follow-up work will be taken forward.
I can assure Deputies and Senators that having already undertaken the rotating Presidency four times, my country is fully aware of the climate within the EU and the relevant difficulties but that we see this six month-Presidency as the big challenge. Greece has the know-how as well as the sensitivity and the necessary perception of reality to guarantee a successful Presidency in the interests of all European citizens.