AMMAN — Greece, as president of the Council of the EU, “will spare no effort” to promote Jordanian interests, according to Greek Ambassador to Jordan Maria Louisa Marinakis.
“This is the message to the Jordanian citizens, that Greece pays a lot of attention to Jordan. We want to be your voice in the European Union,” Marinakis told reporters on Thursday.
She stressed that her country seeks to “contribute to the successful implementation of the reform process Jordan has undertaken”, enhance EU-Jordan cooperation and support the Kingdom’s socio-economic development.
Greece is holding the presidency of the EU council for the first half of this year, the fifth time the country has held the presidency.
While highlighting the main lines of the policies and the programme that her country will follow and work on during these six months, Marinakis stressed the privileged relationship between Amman and Athens on one hand, and that between Jordan and the EU on the other.
Reminding the audience that Europe is made of countries that for some, and not so long ago, were at war with each other and are now enjoying fruitful cooperation, the ambassador said: “I believe that this is a very good example for the region of West Asia which Jordan belongs to… that you can overcome the differences, live peacefully and have regional cooperation.”
“You can have peace and development. This is the message of Europe to West Asia countries,” Marinakis said at a press conference to announce her country’s EU presidency.
“The Greek presidency would like to promote the negotiations that relate with Jordan to [reach] the conclusion of deep and comprehensive free trade agreements with the country,” she added.
The ambassador also briefed reporters on the key issues in the EU, including illegal immigration and the often debated euro currency question.
“Illegal immigration is not only a strain on national economy but also a major humanitarian problem,” she said.
“[We will] encourage initiatives for safeguarding the common currency.”
She also referred to the economic difficulties her country has been experiencing, noting that Greece was on the right track to recovery and already positive and encouraging signs in this regard have been well tested and confirmed.
The ambassador announced a music concert slated for January 23 in Amman that will come as the first in a series of cultural events within the scope of the Greek presidency.
Featuring the En Chordais ensemble, the concert will take place at Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Ras Al Ain at 8:30pm.
The group plays various string instruments, from bouzouki to cithara and violin, focusing on Mediterranean music including the Greek repertoire, with a stress on traditional forms, though it also presents some more contemporary works.
The internationally acclaimed group has an extensive discography and has performed in countless countries. It is particularly appreciated for its stage presence and the lively feeling the members channel to audiences.
