Meeting between Greek Prime Minister K. Simitis and UNICE Representatives
Date:28-1-2003
The meeting on Tuesday, 28 January between the President of the European Council, Prime MinisterK.Simitis and the General Secretary of the Union of Industrialists and Employers' Confederation of Europe (UNICE), Philippe de Buck focused on European development, competition, corporate problems, the EU's role in international relations, issues concerning the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the also world economy.
When asked about the impact of a possible outbreak of war in Iraq on the European economy, Mr. Simitis emphasized the fact that "the possibility of war has already affected development," forcing a downturn in stock markets and putting an end to the "regular pace of investments." Mr. Simitis further described: "an atmosphere of doubt and suspension. This is to be expected as the corporate world waits for the situation to be sorted out." The will of the Greek Presidency for the creation of a "common European line" regarding the crisis in Iraq was reiterated by Mr. Simitis who based his remarks on the success of the "first phase" concluded (on 27/01/03) by the Council of General Affairs concerning Iraq.
The meeting in which the Vice President of UNICE and President of the Greek Industries' Union, Odysseus Kyriakopoulos and the Deputy Minister of Labour Leuteris Tziolas also participated, took place within the framework of the dialogue between the head of the EU's rotating Presidency and social partners in the European Union.
"The EU Presidency wishes to promote the necessary policies which support business activity, small and medium-sized enterprises, improved access to funding, the simplification of various procedures, a European patent diploma, and the promotion of research and technology during the EU summit in Brussels," Mr. Simitis said.
The Greek Premier also noted that the Greek EU Presidency wanted to create an even better environment for effective business activity and to achieve speedier growth. UNICE Vice-President and Chairman of the Greek Inddustries' Union, Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, told reporters that "the main worry of employers currently is maintaining economic growth and speeding up growth to achieve the goals set in the Lisbon summit."