1. Course of Greece in the European Union

2. The European orientation of Greece became concrete upon submission of an application for connection to the newly established European Economic Community (EEC), in June 1959, an application that led to the signing of the Association Agreement between Greece - EEC in June 1961. This Agreement, which was frozen the establishment of the military dictatorship in Greece (April 1967) and was reactivated after the restoration of democracy (July 1974)

3. The application for full membership submitted in June 12, 1975, with the letter K. Karamanlis sent a to the then President of the Council of Ministers of the European Community, Foreign Minister of Ireland G. Fitzgerald.

4. The reasons why Greece chose full accession to the Community can be summed up as follows: Considered the Community to the institutional framework within which might stabilize the democratic political system and institutions. Sought to strengthen its independence and position in the regional and international system. Consider joining the Community as a powerful factor that would contribute to the development and modernization of the Greek economy and society. Wanted, as a European country to be " present " and affect the processes of European integration and the European model.

5. In July 1976 and started accession negotiations, which concluded in May 1979 with the signing of the Act of Accession in Athens ( at Zappeion )

6. The participation of Greece in the European Community / Union over the period 1981-2002 can be divided into three main sub-periods : the first between 1981-1985, the second between 1985-1995 and the third, from 1996 until today. Intense questioning 1981-1985 Pro – Integration Positions 1985-1995 The European Integration 1996 until today

7. The first period is characterized by intense questioning of certain major aspects of European integration.

8. In the second period of participation from 1988 onwards, Greece began to support the "federal" model of integration and the development of a common policy in new areas (education, health, environment), the strengthening of supranational institutions (Commission and Parliament) and the development of a common foreign and security policy of the Union.

9. The third period of Greece's participation in the Community / Union, began in 1996 and characterized by even greater support for the idea and the process of European integration and the deepening of integration in every department, in line with the federal model. We have the Maastricht Treaty and the country's participation as a full member in the single currency ( euro ) and the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) since January 1, 2002.

10. Greek Presidencies Greece has already four EU Presidencies and now is running the fifth one 1 st July- 31 st December 1983 1 st July- 31 st December 1983 1 st July – 31 st December 1988 1 st July – 31 st December 1988 1 st January 1994-30 th June 1994 1 st January 1994-30 th June 1994 1 st January 2003 – 30 th June 2003 1 st January 2003 – 30 th June 2003 1 st January 2014 – 30 th June 2014 1 st January 2014 – 30 th June 2014

11. Greek Presidencies We have to mention the fourth Greek EU Presidency ( first half 2003 ) was a success for Greece, while its duration occurred the biggest enlargement so far in the history of United Europe ( 10 new Member States ).

12. The Greece today continues to strongly support the deepening and widening of the EU, next stop the full integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union by 2014.