• Kontogeorgis takes the EEC driving seat
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THE APPOINTMENT of the EEC's new Greek Commissioner, Georges Kontogeorgis, to take responsibility for the Common Market's transport policy means the portfolio will be in the hands of an experienced administrator writes our Brussels correspondent.
Mr Kontogeorgis joined the Greek Ministry for Economic Affairs before the war and, with the exception of the period when the Colonels held power, had senior ministerial posts for nearly 30 years. As Greece's Minister for Relations with the European Communities over the past three years, he is well acquainted with the working of the Brussels bureaucratic machine and it is expected that, in view of Greece's vast merchant fleet, he will pay closer attention to shipping policy than his Irish predecessor, Richard Burke.
But Greece's isolated position, tucked away from the nine other EEC countries, means he will also be under pressure from transport interests to improve road links.
This of course involves EEC expenditure to help Austria improve its infrastructure and more loans for road building through Yugoslavia.
He is also expected to continue EEC's liberal policy directed towards expanding international road transport by regular increases in EEC quotas.
Mr Kontogeorgis will also be taking over responsibility for tourism in the EEC and at a later date will handle fishing policy.