The Informal meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers took place within the framework of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU, on 4 and 5 April 2014, at the Zappeion Megaron, in Athens.

Following the conclusion of the two-day meeting, EU High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton
 and Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Evangelos Venizelos held a press conference.

Read below the transcript of the press conference.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos will be the host of the Informal “Gymnich” Meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers, which is taking place within the framework of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU, on 4 and 5 April 2014, at the Zappeion Megaron, in Athens.



The first day of the Meeting will focus on developments in the European Union’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods – with emphasis on the situation in Ukraine and Syria – and on the Union’s relations with its strategic partners.



The two-day informal meeting of the ECOFIN, as well as the 13. Joint ECOFIN / FEMIP Ministerial Meeting, organized by the Greek Presidency in Athens on 1-2 April had a full agenda and Ministers were able to exchange views on a number of key issues affecting Europe’s economy and financial situation.

The Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection, Patroklos Georgiadis, presented yesterday (1.4.2014) before the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)  of the European Parliament the results of the Greek Presidency of the EU Council in the field of Justice and Home Affairs.