Photo: EPA

(VOVworld) -  Greece's six-month presidency of the European Union (EU) formally came to an end Monday evening at a closing ceremony held in Athens attended by all EU members. At the ceremony, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras reviewed the impressive achievements Greece attained during its term and promised that Greece will support Italy’s EU presidency, which begins July 1^st. As EU president, Greece completed 67 critical legislative initiatives and reached consensus on 15 others, saving the EU more than 60% of expenses. Samaras said Greece and its European partners promoted policies and strategies to strengthen the economic and banking union, address the recession and unemployment, and boost competitiveness and growth across the continent. The event closed with a cultural program including performances of traditional Greek folk songs and dances and Italian opera arias.