Candidate countries concluded accession negotiations during the Danish EU presidency. What will be the major tasks concerning the future members during the Greek presidency, when Accession Treaties will be signed? What is the role of embassies during this period?

Puhar: During the Greek presidency, enlargement activities will be a priority. The major event will be the signing of the Accession Treaty on April 16, held at the Acropolis in Athens. During its presidency, Greece will be following the integration processes of individual acceding countries. Its findings will serve as a basis for progress reports to be published by the European Commission in the second half of 2003. One of Greece's priorities during this period will concern the new make-up of Europe, which will be outlined by the Convention. In this process, Greece advocates small countries' interests in the shaping and conducting of EU policies. Embassies in the acceding countries have established intensive co-operation and a dynamic exchange of information. Our ties are getting stronger and are conducted through respective ministries. We are looking forward to a regular exchange of information with diplomats of EU member states and continuous consultations among ambassadors about topical issues.

Nicolaidis: One of the major tasks of the Greek Presidency will be the enlargement. By April 2003, the drafting of the new treaty must be completed, the opinion of the Commission must be received and the assent of the European Parliament as well as the approval of the Council must be given. The Greek Presidency will focus its attention on other priorities as well - the implementation of the Lisbon Process (with the emphasis on competitiveness, cohesion and sustainability), the promotion of common immigration and asylum policies, the future of Europe (especially the outcome of the Convention) and the external relations of the EU. In the framework of the above activities, the Greek Embassy in Slovenia will have a very active role to play. One of its first tasks will be to inform the government, the parliament and the public about the priorities of the Greek presidency. This also applies to any other activities of the presidency. Furthermore, since Slovenian public opinion needs to be further informed in depth on what the European Union is about, the Embassy, in cooperation with the European Commission's Office and Slovenian authorities, will have a considerable share of the responsibility for the dissemination of this information. Lastly, the Embassy will preside over the regular monthly meetings of the EU Embassies in Ljubljana, which, after the signing of the Accession Treaty, will be enlarged with the participation of the 10 new countries.

Greece and Slovenia record moderate trade, while they both strongly invest in the region of the former Yugoslavia. Does this offer new opportunities for co-operation?

Puhar: Greece and Slovenia actually both appear as investors and business partners in SE European countries. Slovenia has been oriented towards the north western part of the Balkans - Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and recently also FRY, while Greek economic interests are focused on its neighbouring countries - Albania, Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria, Rumania and FRY. We have come together in part of this geographical area and there is a great potential for joint ventures. Moreover, both countries implement various projects and programmes of development assistance. There are options for co-operation in the transfer of know-how, training for new and modified production programmes, practical application of science, projects in upgrading legislation, judiciary and various institutions, development of non-governmental sector and elsewhere.

Nicolaidis: In fact, during the last decade, Greece has shown a real interest in promoting its economic relations in SE Europe, and Greek companies have traditionally had a strong presence in the Balkan markets. Not only are Greek investments high in volume but also present a qualitative differentiation compared to the past. From numerous small and medium sized enterprises, our investments have moved to larger companies in more strategic sectors such as banking, insurance services, communications, industrial production and high technology. On the other hand Slovenia, with its deep knowledge of the area, has very successfully broadened its business activities in the countries of former Yugoslavia through its exports and direct investments. Business experience by both sides could certainly encourage new joint ventures in the region. Moreover, in the framework of the Stability Pact, the Greek Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans, allocating EUR 550 million for infrastructure and social support, is an additional incentive to common projects.

In Slovenia, Greece is known as an excellent holiday destination, attracting an increasing number of Slovenians each year. What is Slovenia known for in Greece? What else could it be?

Puhar: Considering the Greek population in general, we can say that Slovenia is relatively unknown in Greece. There are of course parts of the population who are well informed about Slovenia's features. Politicians and civil servants are familiar with our economic results, successful transition and process of EU accession. Others know us for our natural beauty, or as a country that is "so green". There are also those who have travelled through Slovenia and remember the country for its well-tended and clean towns and cities. Some are interested in sports and know our top athletes. One can see the effect of traditional participation in cultural events - film and theatre festivals, artistic work by the young. There are visible traces of joint projects in research and scientific co-operation as well as musicians who have made guest appearances in Greece. Even authors of fiction and non-fiction are making a breakthrough here. A wide segment of consumers recognize the quality of our white goods. Those who appreciate beautiful things buy cut glass. There is a growing interest in Slovenian tourist destinations. It is in this area that we could do much more in a very short time with better promotional tactics - promote Slovenian ski resorts, the accommodation and services of health resorts, tourist farms, Karst features and caves, options for mountaineering and entertainment.

Nicolaidis: It is true that many Slovenians go to Greece to spend their holidays. There are many chartered flights to Greek destinations (especially islands) during the summer each year. Tourism is one of the most important factors that bring the two peoples in closer contact. However, Slovenia and Slovenians are not recognizable in Greece due to tourism alone. Slovenia has always been well known to the Greek people because of its proximity to Greece. Hence the high percentages of positive reactions by Greeks with regard to Slovenia's accession to the EU.

Several Slovenian top athletes (basketball player Jaka Lakovič, footballer Ermin Šiljak) and coaches (Srečko Katanec in football, Slobodan Subotič in basketball) are employed in Greece, while Greek clubs come to Slovenia for training. There does not seem to be any difficulties in this respect, does there?

Puhar: To our common satisfaction, sports are where people can find common interests most easily; this is true for Slovenia and Greece. One must however, draw attention to the fact that relationships in this geographical and social area are usually established and developed within combinations of family, friendship, professional and other private connections, whereupon they grow into institutional relations and that is how, in my opinion, ties and co-operation are also developed in sports.

Nicolaidis: The field of sports is another element binding the two countries. Co-operation in this field has been excellent so far and the prospects for deeper cooperation seem to be very bright. This co-operation acquires an even greater importance with the Olympic Games being organised in Athens next year. Greece has the ambition to organize unique games, in the sense that commercialisation will be avoided as much as possible. This will strengthen the characteristics of modesty and human scale that the Olympic Games should have. But Olympic Games also mean great athletic achievements. In this respect, Slovenia, although a small country, is expected to have quite a significant presence with some of its very good athletes and teams.