Greek priorities to include 'new dynamic on research and innovation'
Speaking to the Committee of the Regions on 20 November, Greek Minister for the Interior Costas Skandalidis said that the priorities for his country's Presidency of the EU, which begins on 1 January 2003, will include a 'new dynamic on research and innovation'. Another key issue, according to the Minister, will be the development of e-government and the information society. This will transform the relationship between the citizen and the state while increasing transparency and tackling corruption, said Mr Skandalidis. The need to improve communication and information for citizens was also highlighted by Swedish member of the Committee, and leader of the European Liberal Democratic Reform (ELDR) group, Kent Johansson. Mr Johansson also argued that the implementation of the Lisbon strategy is already so far behind that the goal of making Europe the world's most competitive economy by 2010 will be hard to meet. A draft opinion by UK member Peter Moore is due to be debated in the February plenary session.
Kraje
Greece