All News from Balkans
Unfavorable climate in the EU
Government officials are very pleased because they no longer feel the tight grip of the fiscal straitjacket imposed on them by Greece's creditors. They can comfortably spend, appoint civil servants and revoke painful reforms. They are fully focused on the next general elections.
No room for mistakes
In 2015 frustration spurred Greeks to vote for a party that vowed to turn things upside down with a supposedly heroic renegotiation of the bailout agreements with the country's foreign lenders and partners. But SYRIZA repeated all the bad habits that led Greece to default: nepotism, corruption, misguided handouts, mass hirings, interference in institutions and reliance on party acolytes.
PAOK is winter champion as Reds draw at Xanthi
PAOK came from behind to beat Larissa and extend its lead at the top of the Super League to seven points on Sunday, thanks to the draw Olympiakos conceded at Xanthi that has seen Atromitos leapfrog the Reds into second.
The results mean PAOK is the winter champion, two rounds of games before the halfway point of the league.
Foreign firms niche in on Greek property
An international network promoting Greek apartments and holiday homes in select countries has started developing over the last few months, as a result of the growing demand by foreign investors for properties in Greece.
Qatar eager to grow business ties with Greece
Qatar is planning an economic and diplomatic overture to Greece as part of its new extrovert policy following its economic isolation by other states in the Gulf region.
IAPR demands transaction data for deposits over 150,000 euros
The tax administration is asking the country's banks to provide details of all transactions since 2015 concerning the accounts of taxpayers who are under investigation.
Yet another plan for debt repayment
The new debt repayment mechanism that the government is negotiating with its creditors provides for haircuts on debts to the tax authorities and social security funds and the payment of what remains in up to 120 installments.
Agenda
MONDAY
Capital Link holds its 20th Annual Invest in Greece Forum at the Metropolitan Club of New York from 7.55 a.m. to 6.20 p.m. ET. (Info: forums.capitallink.com)
Attica hospital doctors and employees hold a four-hour work stoppage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a rally outside the Health Ministry at 11.30 a.m.
Tsakalotos: scandal-mongering hurts the economy; no to snap polls
In an interview with Kathimerini, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos insisted that general elections should be held next September as scheduled, and not before, to allow government reforms to be completed and has warned that scandal-mongering could undermine the economy.
Aid agency donates medical equipment to Venezuela
The Turkish state aid agency successfully carried out projects for health, education, and art in Venezuela, it said on Dec. 8.
Migrants tell of stories of ill treatment by Greek officials
Migrants who have been pushed back into Turkey by Greek authorities tell the details of abuse they have been subjected to by the European country.
Syrian girl returns home after prosthetics surgery
After a Turkish aid group paid for life-changing surgery to give her prosthetic legs, an 8-year-old Syrian refugee girl on Dec. 8 left Turkey walking tall, living out her greatest dream.
Kushner 'advises Saudi crown prince'
The U.S. president's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, has continued to have private conversations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (M.B.S.) following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, The New York Times reported on Dec. 8.
Iranian president seeks deeper ties with Ankara
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Dec. 8 that they wanted to improve further relations with Turkey and the joint agreement by Ankara and Tehran to collaborate in numerous fields including banking and energy topics should be implemented faster.
Turkey-EU reform group to focus on 'justice reform'
The Turkish government is set to hold this year's second Reform Action Group meeting on Dec. 11, resuming the talks after a three-year pause in a move signaling its determination to join the European Union.