19/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - Greek Presidency cost just €14 million. Greece promised a Spartan Presidency with a budget of €50 million, which it did not intend to spend fully (see EUROPE 10934). Iinitial estimates suggest the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU cost the country on financial life support just €14 million, according to the report on the expenditure of the Greek Presidency, which was published on Tuesday 17 June. This amount was used to cover all official travel, seconded staff to Brussels for the duration of the Presidency, accommodation for delegations visiting Athens and interpreting services. The Presidency states that some of the costs (around €2.5 million) were covered by the sponsorship programme, in which 25 businesses took part. (EL)