Pnyx

Emmanuel Macron will make Greece the launchpad for a major policy speech on the future of Europe as he starts his first official trip to the country on Thursday.
From the dramatic setting of the ancient Pnyx in Athens, the French president is expected to outline his vision for the continent in what is being called his most important overseas address since taking office in May.

The government is seeking to make the most of the visit to Greece by French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrives in Athens Thursday, as aides to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras see it as a perfect chance to put out the message that Greece has finally turned a corner after years of financial woes.

The visit by outgoing American President Barack Obama next week to Athens was planned on the certainty that it was going to take place after the victory of Hillary Clinton. And that his keynote speech was to be delivered on one of world's best known locations for the practice of democracy. 

US President Barack Obama will not be delivering a speech on the Pnyx Hill opposite the Acropolis during his November 15-16 visit to Athens, as was originally planned, because of concerns of American security officials that the open space area will be difficult to protect.

Nighttime visits to three hills in central Athens ? Pnyx, the Hill of the Nymphs and the Hill of the Muses ? are to be permitted following a ruling by the fifth section of the Council of State which overturns a 2008 decision by then Culture Minister Michalis Liapis.