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| 1996, Jan. 22 |
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| The new Greek government under Premier Costas Simitas was sworn in. Simitas called for governmental restructuring and the broadening of relations with the U.S. | 1 |
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| 1998, March 30 |
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| Cyprus was named as a nation and formally invited to begin talks with the EU and to apply for membership. This move angered Turkey, the only country actively aspiring to attain EU membership that was not invited to the negotiations (See 1998, March 30). Subsequent relations between Turkey and Greece suffered as the two nations continued conflicts over the shared island nation of Cyprus (Turkey controlled northern Cyprus; Greece claimed southern Cyprus). | 2 |
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| March 31 |
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| Greece's economy failed to fulfill the EU's qualifications for participation in the European Monetary Union. The next opportunity for Greece would be in 2002. However, international estimates were that it might be 15 years or more before Greece's per capita GDP would approach the current EU average. | 3 |
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