President Juncker in official visit to Athens
On 21 June in Athens, European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker i, met with Greek President, Prokopios Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras i, and New Democracy leader, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
President Juncker delivered a speech to the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) and also addressed the Greek Economic and Social Committee. "Tonight, I want to bring a message of determination and a message of hope, for Europe and for Greece, but it is a demanding message at the same time," said the President at SEV's Annual General Meeting.
"For me, the challenge which this great nation and people are facing is not only economic and social: it is about building a modern State - a State which is able to deliver on the promises of this great democracy; a State which cares and which works for its people; a State which makes Greece a proud member of the European Union."
President Juncker underlined the need for all sides to mobilise around urgent reforms: "What we need now is clear: broad political support, full ownership and efficient implementation on all sides. […] You are not doing this for "Brussels", or for the creditors. You are doing this for yourselves, for your people and for your future, which is a European future."