WIREDGOV

Today, 8 January, the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first semester of 2014 is being officially inaugurated.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will welcome Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the members of the Commission at the Zappeion Megaron, where they will have a working lunch.

A plenary meeting between members of the Greek government and the College of Commissioners, chaired by Prime Minister Samaras and President Barroso, will then be held, followed by separate cluster meetings, between Commissioners and members of the Greek government.

After a separate meeting between Prime Minister Samaras and Commission President Barroso, the two officials will make joint statements to the press.

The official opening of the Presidency will take place in the evening, at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall, in the presence of Hellenic Republic President, Karolos Papoulias. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso will address the event while Prime Minister Samaras will deliver the keynote speech.