Greece ended its 6-month EU presidency on June 30, successfully meeting all its goals, say Greek and European analysts. Its program had the motto “Europe: Our Common Quest” that focuses on four key areas of common interest and concern: job creation; growth and social cohesion; further deepening of the economic and monetary union; migration, borders and mobility; and maritime policy.

Greek officials are patting themselves on the back with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras stressing that “naysayers” have been proven wrong in their skepticism whether recession-struck Greece, a symbol of the international financial crisis, would be successful at the helm of Europe ahead of last May’s elections.The closing ceremony at Zappeion last night stressed all that Greece had established with the cost of the presidency at a mere 19 million euros (26 million U.S. dollars), a whopping 40% less than the 50 million allocated.

On his part, European Commission President Jose Barroso addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg stating that recovery in the EU remains fragile but the EU economy has been improving slightly. He said that the situation in Greece and Cyprus has stabilized and congratulated Greece on its fruitful EU presidency with the highlight being the completion of the banking union. Mr. Barroso stressed that Greece had shown that it could respond to crisis while also contributing to the European agenda.

He summarized the Greek Presidency in three words: “logos”, “pathos” and “ethos”.

For Mr. Barroso’s full speech CLICK HERE