Dora Bakoyannis Mayor of Athens

PM Communications: When you took office in January 2003 you were the first woman to serve as mayor of a city hosting the Olympic Games. Despite the doomsayers Greece hosted a spectacular Games. Which aspect of the Games gave you greatest satisfaction?

Dora Bakoyannis: Around the world nobody believed that we would make it, and in 2004 I gave more than 370 interviews in an attempt to persuade international opinion that we would be ready. The success of the Games themselves was immensely gratifying but the legacy of Athens 2004 is even more important.

The greatest cause for satisfaction was the physical transformation of our city closely followed by the change in international perceptions. Athens was a major metropolis with many problems but over the last fifteen years it has changed radically. From a monocultural, regional capital it has become a multicultural, international city in a very short period of time. Athens needed new infrastructure development and we were able to achieve this a lot more quickly because of the Games.

The incredible participation of the Athenians was also very gratifying. We did not have an official structure for volunteerism in Greece, as you do in other Western countries. But volunteerism has always existed here in a social context - within the family and between friends.
Since the Games, we have developed a strong volunteer spirit and the municipality is working to encourage volunteerism.

PM Communications: Over the past three years, you have transformed the city's streets, pavements, parks, public spaces and the facades of its buildings. How do these and other initiatives like the "Volunteer for Athens" programme express your vision for the city?

Dora Bakoyannis: Athens required an aesthetic upgrading. Apart from the necessary improvements in infrastructure, the city was also in need of beautification. To achieve this we created an impressive cooperation between the Local Government and private sector.

Greeks are very house-proud and they have proved it with our façade renovation programme, which has brought colour back to Athens. We granted Athenian homeowners and business owners a subsidy of 15 percent towards the cost of refurbishing building facades. We also provided the technical support and inspiration but the people themselves did the rest. Now, this programme, which Harvard University recently adopted as a case study in private-public sector cooperation, is to be introduced throughout Greece.

Our volunteer programme is proceeding very well. Volunteers staff visitor information booths throughout the city between May and September. Visitors can seek advice on what to see in Athens, such as the ancient monuments, museums and art galleries, as well as the interesting neighbourhoods of Gazi and Psyrri.

Our volunteers also help maintain Athens' parks and playgrounds and will soon be involved in our senior citizens welfare programme. Our goal is to create a "Bank of Time" where, instead of depositing money, you give your time.

This is one of the most important legacies of the Olympics. As I told the Mayor of Beijing: "You can have all the technical infrastructure but if you don't have the real, passionate participation of the people, then you will not understand and convey the true meaning of the Games."

PM Communication: Can you describe for the readers of The Sunday Telegraph how the changes in physical infrastructure has transformed Athens into a much more pleasant place to work and visit?

Dora Bakoyannis: There are two kinds of infrastructure.
The first involved infrastructure that had been in the works - such as the expansion of the Metro, road networks and coastal development - but was completed much sooner than planned thanks to the Olympics.
These projects progressed very rapidly and have had a major impact.
In terms of tourist arrivals, the number of visitors coming to Athens rose by 9 percent in 2005, higher than the increase for all of Greece.
The improvements in infrastructure further add to Athens' potential as a destination for foreign investors. One of our strongest points is our human capital. Our workforce is highly educated, multilingual and multi-skilled.

The second type of infrastructure is the network of Olympic venues. Efforts are being made to find viable uses for all of the stadiums and installations, however it is no easy task. In my opinion, I do not believe we should have built so many permanent structures.

PM Communications: The countdown to the final of the 51st Eurovision Song Contest in May 2006 has begun. Athens will once again be showcased in an international event of very high visibility. How will Athens seek to make Eurovision as resounding a success as Athens 2004?

Dora Bakoyannis: Eurovision is an event that generates a great deal of international media interest. We will be well prepared for visitors, as we were during the Games. Our volunteers will be at the visitor information booths and on the streets, ready to answer their questions. Athens is a very hospitable city and the Greeks are known for their welcoming nature.

PM Communications: In your former post as Minister of Culture you assisted in the planning of the unification of Athens' archaeological sites. Do you feel that Athens is capitalizing fully on its cultural heritage?

Dora Bakoyannis: Of course you can always do better, but I think what Athens possesses today on this count is truly remarkable. It is now possible for one to walk 4.7 km through 4,000 years of history. No other European city can offer that. When the Acropolis Museum is finished, the whole area will offer an unparalleled experience. It is an opportunity to live and experience our cultural heritage. Nevertheless, we are fully aware that this heritage does not belong only to us. Athens is the cradle of Western civilisation, so we have to take good care of it. Our cultural heritage not only belongs to Greece, but to the entire world.

PM Communications: In previous years, Athens was simply a stopover for those heading to the islands. Today, the Greek capital is reinventing itself as a city break destination. What does Athens offer as a holiday destination compared to its competitors?

Dora Bakoyannis: Athens is a modern European metropolis with a great deal of character. She is a strong lady, who needed a little makeover, and she got it.

As well as its wonderful and I would say unique heritage, Athens also offers a varied selection of contemporary cultural events and a vibrant nightlife. Life begins after 7pm in Athens! The Greek capital hosts one of the greatest concert halls in Europe and more than 200 cinemas where you can see all films in their original language. We have excellent shopping districts and the city's restaurants are top class.

The location of the city is fantastic. You can visit the beautiful coastline and go sailing or swimming, hike through the forests surrounding the city or even go horse riding.

PM Communications: Our first report will be promoting the upcoming British - Hellenic Chamber of Commerce conference entitled, "Greece: you Strategic Partner for investment in South East Europe - Business and investment opportunities". The conference will be held in London in March. What message would you like to send to those who will attend the conference about Athens' potential as a regional hub?

Firstly, I would like to say that the Greeks have proven to be extremely good business partners with a profound knowledge of the region. Greece is one of the biggest investors in Bulgaria, Albania and South East Europe, in general. Secondly, I would like to emphasise the excellent quality of life here in Athens, making our city a very attractive base for investment in the region. Thirdly, Greeks are very welcoming and multilingual, so you will feel completely at home.

PM Communications: Many people in Greece and the UK continue to call for the return of the Parthenon Marbles so that they can be displayed in the new Acropolis Museum. Please share the importance of this archaeological treasure for the Greek people with the readers of the Telegraph.

Dora Bakoyannis: As I previously mentioned, this culture belongs to the entire world and, as marvellous as the Parthenon Marbles are, today they are mutilated and separated. Some of them are in Greece and many others are in London. The goal is not to take back the Marbles but to unify them. That is why it is very important to reach an agreement and mount a joint exhibition with the British Museum at the Acropolis Museum. We are not asking for the ownership of the Marbles. We want to give the coming generations and the entire world the opportunity to see these marvellous sculptures as they were originally created, to see them as an integral whole.

There is a big difference between seeing an entire horse and seeing just a leg.
Museums throughout the world are full of Greek antiquities and we have never asked for them to be returned. But the Parthenon Marbles are part of our shared history. It is extremely gratifying to know that the majority of the British people believe they should be unified.

PM Communications: You were named the winner of the 2005 World Mayor Award. More than 87,000 people from across the globe cast their votes, choosing the mayor they think has contributed most to the welfare of the city and its citizens. What do you think is the role of a mayor in the modern world?

Dora Bakoyannis: It is an extremely important role as Local Government is much closer to the people. Major cities are facing great challenges and social problems. This is why local politics are so essential and a Mayor's role so important.

I am going to Salzburg next week to discuss what kind of Europe we want. For instance, why do the people of Europe feel so alienated from the decision-making process in Brussels. Local Government can play a vital role in linking the people to national and multinational governments.

PM Communications: So do you think Municipal Government should have greater power and authority?

Absolutely. This has been proven in cities like London, where the Local Government has a great degree of authority. It is vital that the political system in Greece understands the importance of Local Government and proves it has the courage to effect such changes.

PM Communications: On taking office in January 2003, you became the first woman to lead Athens in its 3,500-year history, winning with a larger majority than any Athens mayor in the history of modern Greece. What extra responsibilities and rewards are there in being arguably Greece's most powerful woman?

Dora Bakoyannis: I have always said that if the first woman responsible for an Olympic City had failed, then everybody would have remembered she was a woman. Since everything went well, everybody just takes it for granted. Whether you are a woman or a man, what is important is that you do a good job. It is satisfying to prove wrong those who do not believe - even if they don't say it openly - that a woman is capable of meeting such a great challenge.

Fortunately, today's younger generations think in a completely different way and women worldwide have the opportunity to prove their worth and are doing so with a great deal of success.

PM Communications: Your life has been touched by both exile and tragedy. What has motivated you to keep returning to public life and keep serving as a politician?

Dora Bakoyannis: I learnt very early on that democracy is not something that is given to you; it is something you must fight for. When I was 13 years old, I lived through the dictatorship here in Greece. It is only when you lose your freedom that you really understand what it means. That is the main reason I became involved in politics. I suppose it is a part of my character. I don't like to give up.

PM Communications: I'd like to give you the opportunity to send a final, direct message to the readers of The Sunday Telegraph. Please go ahead…

Dora Bakoyannis: I would like to invite you all to Athens. I am sure that the people of Athens will give them a very warm welcome!