Now is a critical time for Greece. With the 2004 Olympic Games just around the corner, there is a great weight of expectation on this corner of southeastern Europe. The eyes of the world will be watching to see just how far this country of 10 million people has come in the past decade.

So much has changed: the euro has seamlessly replaced the drachma, while Greek businesses have raised their game to compete on the world stage. Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, has encouraged business-friendly policies that have helped the country consistently record some of the highest growth rates in the EU. The economy has been liberalised, inflation tamed and there is rising confidence among entrepreneurs and consumers alike.

The frenetic pace of activity in the run-up to the Games continues. Greece has also benefited from a massive injection of European funds in the development of its infrastructure. It is now home to some of the fastest highways on the continent.
The Greek presidency of the EU, which commenced at the beginning of 2003, expires at the end of June, coinciding with the enlargement of the EU, from 15 to 25 members. The way Athens has handled this and other thorny issues, has won it considerable acclaim.
And now that the Olympics are finally coming home, Greeks are determined not to let their ancestors down.