Prime Minister George Papandreou on the idyllic eastern Aegean island of Kastelorizo: We can make it, if...

What a turbulent world, this summer!

The "Greek debt crisis", although shocking and alarming, is only part of a fascinating puzzle about the future of the European Union. Will this - almost romantic - dream of economic but also political union survive the turbulence started by the US credit crunch in the West, and the rise of India and China in the East? How can the euro survive under such strain, caused by several European countries' indebtedness, as it is gradually revealed?

All this remains to be seen, as well as the role of Russia and Turkey, countries that happen to be close neighbours of the European Union. What is lacking, I personally think, is inspired leadership, as the EU seems to be resting on its past glories, and the ambitious agreements to make Europe more competitive, that were meant to transform the European business landscape, never materialised.

But let's return to the "Greek reality", as we proudly or ironically call our microcosm. I still firmly believe - despite these very upsetting times - that we are a country faced with many challenges, but also many opportunities. It will of course depend on "getting our act together" and doing the homework that we should have done decades ago.

This month, we are again hosting the significant Posidonia international shipping fair in Athens. Every couple of years, the cream of the Greek shipping industry - the number one power worldwide - gathers here. Unfortunately, Posidonia is no longer held in Greece's traditional shipping centre, Piraeus, as the main Greek port's facilities - both commercial and residential - have not yet improved.

There isn't a single 5-star hotel in Piraeus, there is no conference hall and no suitable exhibition centre. Nevertheless, people from all over the world are still flocking in: A big chance to finally create a modern port city, like Barcelona, as according to the Greek proverb "it is never too late".

It is so optimistic that Greek shipowners, their children and grandchildren keep returning home at some point during their flamboyant careers abroad, not knowing what they will face, at different times in our choppy history. It is also true that our country does not yet know exactly what to expect from them, and there is so much that can be done if we would pay more attention to our culturally and financially valuable human resources from abroad.

At demanding times, we should not forget that we are now facing difficulties similar to those faced by other countries, including the strongest country in the world, the United States, where scandals, disasters or terrorism have also showed their ugly face. So, let's not get things out of proportion. Let's "stay calm and carry on" working harder and more collectively.