Exclusive Interview with Press & Communications Counselor Christos Failadis

Failadis spoke about his exciting international diplomacy career, global posts, Greece's recent strides and what he likes most about the nation's capital.

New Greek TV: How long have you served as the Press & Communications Counselor at the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C?

Christos Failadis: Just one year! I arrived the same day with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, during his visit to the USA last August, flying from Beijing, China. It was so nice to return in the city of my post-graduated years!

New Greek TV: Where were you posted before? What have been your favorite international posts?

Christos Failadis: I have been working all my 30 years career in public diplomacy, posted in Greek Embassies first in Ankara, Turkey, after in the Athens Ministry for Press on Turkish & Cypriot Affairs, next in Tirana, Albania (in both neighbor countries I was involved in 'crisis management'!), New York at the United Nations, Strasbourg, France at the Council of Europe - European Court - European Parliament, The Hague, Netherlands, Athens as Secretariat for Communication on International Public Relations, and Beijing, China.

I can't single out among my posts, after such a nice experience, but I feel a preference for the most productive ones, Tirana & China!

New Greek TV: What do you like the most about the Nation's capital?

Christos Failadis: I have to confess the ''erotic'' relationship I have with Washington, D.C. since my American University years. The nation's capital is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, you live a 'decent life', besides as the ''World Capital'' you have a feeling that you participate in the...worldwide decision making!!!

New Greek TV: Where did you grow up in Greece?

Christos Failadis: I was born in Patras, Peloponnese, where my family origins are, but I came of age in Diakofto, a beautiful town at the same county of Achaia, under the picturesque Vouraikos gorge, and the old rack railway ''odontotos'', going to the historic Kalavrita & Agia Lavra monastery, where the 1821 flame of revolution started!

New Greek TV: What made you want a career in international diplomacy? Where did you go to school?

Christos Failadis: I think the ''charisma'' of communication included on the field of international public diplomacy, the challenges you face, the experience of traveling and knowing countries and civilizations!

I studied Political Sciences in Athens, International Relations-European Integration at the American University in Washington, Intern in Brussels/EU Commission, College of Europe/Bruge, Strasbourg/ CoE-Eur.Court-EU Parliament, Paris/OECD, Luxembourg/EIB & Hague/Int'l Peace Court. Also special study of ''Game Theory'' at the London School of Economics .

New Greek TV: What do you think of Greece's recent financial strides and return to markets?

Christos Failadis: Greece seems to be achieving the impossible. Two years after it found itself at the bottom of the barrel, the Greek government has achieved a primary budget surplus by embarking on budget cuts, imposition of taxes, and numerous structural & financial reforms. Greeks with all these sacrifices regained the trust of its lenders, the infamous Troika and the global investment community. Market access for Greek banks and corporates is improving faster than anticipated, the investor interest is rising, the growth is expecting to turn positive in 2014 - first time since 2007 - and recently, Greece's first trial to return to the markets was successful, so ... YES! Greece after such substantial progress on fiscal and external adjustment, will return to the markets, because Greece is going to have the markets' respect! Furthermore, according to a WSJ report, Greece is expected to come back to the markets soon, after a ''blowout'' five-years bond issue in April that ''drew plenty of enthusiasm players'' and that a: ''three-years transaction is seen to be likely''.

New Greek TV: Do you think Greece will complete the 12 troika mandates by the end of summer, to receive its final two relief packages?

Christos Failadis: Certainly, the government is determined to do what it takes to make things right. There is a fresh fast-track development in Greek economy, next week the Council of EFSF will decide positively for part of package, and up to the end of July, six more prerequisites (including privatization of DEH / Electricity Co) shall be completed. So, Troika's checking, mid of July, for sure, will give the OK for September decision making. In addition - according to journalist comments - September will start discussions on Greek debt !

New Greek TV: Greece's tourism sector is growing each day. What do you think most attributed to this?

Christos Failadis: Tourism is the heavy industry of Greece. We have a blessed country. This year we are expecting almost 22 million tourists. Twice as the Greek inhabitants. There are so many reasons attributed to that. Greece is an open air museum with so many archaeological and historic places, wonderful lace-creeks and seashores, picturesque mountainous villages and landscapes, high quality hotels and experienced personnel, cultural events and festivals, entertainment, a tasty gastronomy specialized on the Greek diet, and last but not least, friendly people and warm smiles! It's an all-time classic country!

New Greek TV: What have been the highlights of Greece's European Parliament Presidency?

Christos Failadis: The fifth Hellenic Presidency, besides the crisis, was successful as the previous four as well. It was characterized with a maximum of professionalism, high indications of statistical nature of any meetings, as frugally as possible, and with a high degree of internal coordination. We work harder to have ''compact'' achievements in a shorter time than during 6 months because of the period of parliamentary elections.

In the first Greek priority, for growth & employment, the agreement on the funding for the EU Maritime & Fisheries Fund and the adoption of legislative acts strengthens the competitiveness of EU economy, the quality of services, plus the youth unemployment up to 24 years old.

For deepening Eurozone & economic governance of EU, Greece managed to agree on regulation for the Single Resolution Mechanism, an important step in the direction of Banking Union 7, strengthening security and transparency of the financial system.

Emphasis was given on protection of EU borders and managed to make clear that migration is not a problem just for EU southern countries. It's a pan-European nature problem & Greek Presidency's greatest achievement was the setting of the strategic guidelines for legislative-operational planning in the sector of Justice & Home Affairs.

The fourth pillar was a comprehensive maritime policy which reflects the nature of Greece as a shipping & island country, ensuring security & capitalizing on the opportunities arising from maritime activities for the EU economy. As a result the adoption of European Maritime Security Strategy sets out the term ''external maritime borders'' (0% of EU external trade & 40% of internal trade is transported by sea).

Greek priorities regarding the EU enlargement in the Western Balkans & the Neighborhood Policy with Middle East, North Africa & Arab world were adopted as well.

Greek EU Presidency did everything it could. We believe that on the principle of institutional equality of member states is of very great importance. Greece showed that it is & will remain a normal, institutionally equal member of the European Union and the Eurozone.