Greek Ambassador Grigorios Vassiloconstandakis: Bulgarian Presidency is Going to Add Specific Value in the European Union's Way Forward

Exclusive interview of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) with His Excellency,Mr. Grigorios Vassiloconstandakis , Ambassador of Greece to the Republic of Bulgaria. 

CAREER / PROFESSIONAL ROUTE:

Mr. Vassiloconstandakis before assuming the duties of the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Bulgaria, has served in Istanbul, Turkey, as Consul at the General Consulate of Greece (1992-1996); in Paris, France, as Political Affairs Counsellor at the Embassy (1996-2000); in the International Secretariat of NATO in Brussels, Belgium, responsible for the countries of Southeastern Europe (2002-2005). Furthermore, he has been the first Head of the Liaison Office of his country in Pristina (2000) and Consul General in Cairo, Egypt (2008-2010). Between 2013-2016 he served as Ambassador of Greece to Romania. He has also served in various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens. He speaks fluently English, French and Italian and he is married and the father of a 27-year-old son.

 1. What do you expect from the Bulgarian EU Presidency?

Allow me to start by stressing that Greece is particularly happy that Bulgaria is assuming the rotating Presidency of the European Council as of the 1st of January 2018. In my country we are confident that your efforts will pay off and Bulgarian Presidency is going to add specific value in the European Union's way forward. Let me also comment that despite the latest provisions about the new role of the Presidency -following the Lisbon Treaty, which provides for a rather "conventional" dimension to its conduct, - still holding the Presidency offers the presiding country a considerable attraction of interest. It brings the...