Former European Commission President and former Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker said he was pleased to see a Greek finance minister at the helm of the Eurogroup during an informal dinner of eurozone finance ministers.
Juncker was invited to the meeting by Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Greece’s Minister of National Economy and Finance and current president of the Eurogroup. The gathering provided an opportunity for ministers to hear from Juncker about his experience in handling major European decisions and economic challenges over the past decades.
The meeting marked Juncker’s first return to a Eurogroup session — even in an informal capacity — since leaving his roles in European politics.
Juncker highlights Greece’s place in the eurozone
Speaking during the event, Juncker said he was happy to see Greece as a member of the eurozone, recalling his efforts to support the country’s participation in the common currency.
He noted that years ago few would have expected a Greek finance minister to eventually lead the Eurogroup, adding that he was particularly pleased to see this become reality.
“I am very happy, more than happy, that Greece is a member of the eurozone,” Juncker said, expressing his satisfaction with Greece’s current role in European economic decision-making.
Pierrakakis praises Juncker’s role in Greece’s European path
Pierrakakis said he invited Juncker to the dinner so ministers could discuss current European challenges and benefit from his experience managing crises during difficult periods.
He described Juncker as a major European political figure who played a key role in several crises and important decisions, while emphasizing his special connection with Greece.
According to Pierrakakis, Juncker supported Greece during a period when few others believed in the country’s recovery. He said Greece’s return to growth and stronger presence in European decision-making showed that Juncker’s approach had been justified by history.
Pierrakakis added that Juncker holds a special place among Greeks for his support during challenging times.
