News archive of December 2019

The flurry of diplomatic activity in the Eastern Mediterranean is intensifying in the wake of Turkey's decision to involve itself yet deeper in the Libya crisis and its effort to create faits accomplis primarily at the expense of Greek, Cypriot and Egyptian interests in the region.

The Finance Ministry is considering various alternative scenarios for the upcoming reduction of the solidarity levy. According to a top ministry official, the fiscal leeway to emerge will determine not only the degree of the levy's reduction but also the timing of its implementation.

It has become abundantly evident that political will is key if the Greek Police (ELAS) is to fulfill its mission. However, will alone is not enough. The task also requires reform, training and modern equipment.

Traffic restrictions will come into effect in Athens on New Year's Eve as the capital celebrates the arrival of the new year and new decade.
Syntagma Square and all the roads around it will be closed off from 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening until the end of celebrations late into the night, which include a two-stage musical event and a New Year welcome by Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

Turkey's Treasury on Tuesday slashed its domestic borrowing amount for January by almost 10 billion lira ($1.68 billion) to 15 billion lira, according to its three-month domestic borrowing strategy.

The team of the AGERPRES Romanian National News Agency wishes you health, prosperity and a 2020 full of achievements. Thank you for being with us in 2019, too. The year 2020 means not just new challenges, but also development, a path in which the confidence you put into us is paramount. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It was long in coming but widespread enforcement of the anti-smoking law now appears to be a reality in Greece.

The data collected jointly by the National Transparency Authority and Greek Police from inspections indicates that the overwhelming majority of citizens and businesses are complying with the law.

Greece on Tuesday expressed "serious concern" over the escalation of violence in Iraq, while condemning recent strikes by the Kataib Hezbollah militia group against bases that host forces of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State in the region.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed his confidence that Greeks will be able to overcome any obstacles that will come their way in the new year, including any challenges to the country's territorial integrity.

The Greek stock market brought to a close on Tuesday its best year in the 21st century, as its benchmark posted annual gains of 49.47 percent - a performance unseen since the 1999 stock bubble. This historic record came in the year after the completion of the third bailout program and with a change in government in early July.