Euronews journalists and staff have been informed of plans to shut down the Greek language service by the end of the year.

The Euronews Greek service, which was launched nine years ago, is funded by the European Commission.

Its journalists, who have an in-depth knowledge of European issues, provide informed and impartial TV and online coverage of major events concerning Greece, Cyprus, the Balkans and the South-Eastern Mediterranean.

It also broadcasts all EU-funded Euronews programmes in Greek for the benefit of Greeks and Cypriots.

If these plans go ahead, Euronews Greek will be the first EU language service to fall silent, leaving staff members (journalists, technicians and administrators) unemployed.

Given the recent challenges facing Europe in general and Greece and Cyprus in particular, such as migration, the pandemic crisis, climate change and developments in Cyprus, the voice of the Greek Euronews service is more important than ever.

In view of this:

1. Is the Commission itself responsible for deciding that the Greek Euronews service should fall silent on the 40th anniversary of Greek accession to the European Union?

2. If the Commission was not behind this decision, what measures will it take to prevent such an unwelcome turn of events?

Answer given by Mr Breton on behalf of the European Commission here.