Athens 2004 was a spectacular Olympic Games. How is the legacy of the Games being harnessed in order to bring social and economic development to the city?

The spectacular participation of all Greeks in this endeavour was a crucial factor in the Games' success. We proved that when we set a goal and work as a team, we can achieve what many people, prior to the Games, thought impossible. For me personally, this is the greatest single benefit from the 2004 Games. It's also satisfying for all of us that the Games weren't merely judged on the playing fields but also outside of them.

We created a legacy for future Olympic Cities, and we're proud of this. We revitalized the concept of the Games as a celebration where everyone participates; a celebration beyond the exclusive reasoning of profits and commercialisation, notions that often prevailed in the recent past.

And how do you feel the Olympics helped to change international perceptions of your city?

It's a fact that the Games served as the greatest single promotion for Greece and our city, Athens. The entire world had the opportunity to see that Athens isn't just the Acropolis and Cape Sounion. It's a modern city that offers visitors an opportunity to relish traditional Greek hospitality; to enjoy the nightlife; to savour the exquisite local cuisine, to relax and appreciate a rich cultural experience.

Athens is a city with limitless possibilities.

And, of course, you can explore Athens around the clock as it is a very safe city. Ask yourselves, in how many major cities can you walk around at three or four in the morning and feel totally at ease?

What advice you would offer to Beijing and London?

The secret behind the success of the Games, in fact any minor or major endeavour, is the human factor. Naturally, you need to invest and plan effectively, but ultimately the citizens and their willingness to participate hold the key to the success of the Games.

I believe that Beijing and London fully realize this and hope that the Games they host are as wonderful as the 2004 Olympics were.

Having served as city councillor for several years as well as chairman of the city council you are very familiar with the challenges facing the city. Much has been achieved in the last few years but what do you feel still needs to be done?

Certainly, we have made a good deal of progress, however our efforts are continuing full steam ahead. For instance, our city is cleaner and more colourful. We're implementing a major recycling programme that we believe will contribute significantly to overall efforts to improve the urban environment.

We consider the creation of green spaces a vital element of our programme. We are undertaking the biggest urban regeneration project in Athens' post-Olympics era. It involves the creation of 13.7 hectares of green space in the heart of the city, in the area of Votanikos, which for years was neglected. The project also involves the redevelopment of part of central Alexandras Avenue, at the site of the old Panathinaikos football stadium, which will be demolished and rebuilt at Votanikos.

We are completely transforming the National Gardens, returning them to their original glory, as well as making improvements on landmark Lycabettus Hill with more greenery, pathways and recreational areas for Athenians and visitors alike.

Athens can play the role of strategic gateway to the sizeable, emerging markets of the Balkan, Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean regions. Within a radius of 1000km there is a market of 181mln inhabitants spread over a major part of Greece, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and the former Yugoslavia. What message would you send to the readers of The Telegraph about Athens' potential as a regional hub?

Our goal is to become the financial and investment hub of the region. We have demonstrated that we possess enormous potential for growth in the service sector. Greek businesses are one of the biggest investors in neighbouring markets. It is very satisfying to see that our Balkan neighbours are experiencing rapid growth and development. I believe we can create the foundations that will allow Athens to become the business and financial centre of not only the Balkans but the entire east Mediterranean basin; an economic bridge, if you will, between East and West, between the European Union and the Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa.

Athens' position is unique, in that it serves as a geographical crossroads between East and West. Top quality infrastructure has been created over the past few years, and efforts to improve it are constant and intensive. We're investing in transport and new technology because we believe they are vital to achieving our goal of offering high-end services. Furthermore, we also promote good neighbourliness and cooperation among all states and cities in the eastern Mediterranean, knowing full well that peace in the region is a crucial factor for a better future.

Greece and Athens continue to serve as catalysts for peace and development.

And we're proud of the fact that we have a highly skilled workforce. Greece has the luxury of being able to "export" skilled professionals; you need only look at how many British universities employ Greek professors and scientists.

The government has passed a new development law which is creating an attractive investment for environment. Additionally, it has decided to gradually decrease corporate tax rates to 25 percent.

Moreover, several major steps have been taken to reduce red tape and the amount of paperwork needed to open a business or make an investment. The City of Athens has paid particular attention to this matter, streamlining bureaucratic procedures and facilitating potential investors.

Opportunities exist in many areas. Athens is a city with enormous potential for growth in tourism, the service sector, new technologies and infrastructure.

I believe that investors are aware of this, judging by the increased interest they have expressed over the last three years.

Many people in Greece and the UK continue to call for the return of the Parthenon Marbles for display in the soon-to-be-completed new Acropolis museum. Please share the importance of this archaeological treasure for the Greek people.

The Parthenon Marbles are part and parcel of Greek history. The fact that a movement exists in Britain which favors their return is also satisfying. I believe that the goal of reunifying the Marbles will be achieved, and the opening of the new Acropolis museum presents a first-class opportunity for this to occur.

On our part, we are contributing to these efforts and remain in constant contact with the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, who has publicly voiced his support for the reunification of the Marbles.

I will take this opportunity to emphasize that it would be more useful if expressions of support for the reunification of the Marbles were accompanied by action.

I would be particularly pleased if the Mayor of London spearheaded a campaign for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles. Such an initiative is characteristic of modern-day diplomacy between major cities.

There is still a lingering misconception that Athens is a polluted and chaotic city. What are the main misconceptions that you run into?

I believe that Athens has suffered much bad press in the past.
Problems did exist, though I have no idea why some exaggerated them to such an extent that, even today, a proportion of potential visitors still believes that Athens is polluted, faces major traffic problems, and, generally, is a city that is not tourist-friendly nor safe.

The Athens Olympics proved many of these impressions to be false. Both Olympic visitors and television viewers who watched the events taking place in the stadiums and beyond ascertained that Athens is a modern city; it's absolutely safe, much more secure than most major cities.

Although it still has relatively heavy traffic, the city now hosts a modern mass transit network following the construction of the Attiko Metro, a suburban railway and a tram service.

Athens is a clean city with more greenery and recreational areas.

But most of all, it is a city whose residents will make you feel right at home.

And yet to the millions of British tourists visiting Greece every year Athens is mostly a stopover point en route to the islands. Today, the Greek capital is reinventing itself as a city break destination. What does Athens offer as a holiday destination compared with its competitors?

I believe we should avoid making comparisons, as every city and every country possesses its own unique beauty. I do believe, however, that Athens is blessed with an excellent climate year-round, a rich cultural heritage and offers a great variety of entertainment 24 hours a day, be it strolling through the narrow streets of historic Plaka, savouring Greek cuisine, swimming in crystal clear seas located a short distance from the city centre, or simply combining business with pleasure.

I consider the city's visitors to be our best ambassadors. It is worth nothing that the number of visitors who visit Greece specifically to see Athens is constantly rising.

The countdown to the final of the 51st Eurovision Song Contest in May 2006 has begun. How will this international event help to cement Athens' emerging reputation as a leading world city?

Eurovision, as an institution, has been upgraded over the last few years. This European musical celebration is watched by millions of television viewers. We consider Eurovision yet another opportunity to promote the new Athens, a city which has proven it can successfully host major events.

I am confident that visitors and viewers will thoroughly enjoy Eurovision 2006 in Athens. Beyond the actual songs, our city's secret charms will travel to every corner of Europe via the two-day event.