Speech of the Greek Minister of Transport and Communications at the Official Opening of ATHENS TUNING SHOW 2007, held at 9/26/2007

Ladies & Gentlemen,

When I decided to come to Athens Tuning Show, my collaborators told to me “Maybe you should be more careful; are you really going to a Tuning Show, to an event that encourages the citizens to tune their cars and, probably, make them more dangerous?”…

Well I know about Tuning, I was involved with Tuning as a Member of the European Parliament and with my amendments I had shaped the EU law that is in force today; so I told my collaborators that, first of all, we are free people and nobody should restrain our freedom. We have the freedom to intervene in our cars as much as we may intervene in our house. Also we should not forget that there are rules, EU and National ones, regarding the protection of the environment and the safety of the drivers and theirs passengers.

I know that there are these presuppositions and I believe that they must be constantly under observation. I also believe, as I mentioned at the beginning, that we are free men, and as I estimate that the State - provided that the presuppositions are observed - should not limit our freedom, I am here today. Automotive industry is a very important asset (along with the Car Industry comes also Aftermarket and Lifestyle Market), and it should be supported, as it creates a great number of vacancies.

So now I stand before of you because I want to make clear that the State is ready to support this market if all the conditions are secured. I am certain that it is a market of great interest, particularly for the young people. I am here today to declare my support and I am sure that this event will have great success.

Therefore I wish that we will keep seeing events like Athens Tuning Show in the future. Congratulations to the Organizers and all the people who contributed to the success of this event. Normally I should say that I officially open the exhibition. It is not very easy for me, I am not used to, but if I have to do it, I will! I announce the official opening!