Latest News from Greece
Lost in contradiction
The SYRIZA-Independent Greeks coalition government appears to be imploding as a result of its contradictions - not to mention the fact that the administration is now facing the harsh reality.
Russian tour operator ‘Pegasus’ cancels trips to Greece due to visa issues
Russian tour operator ‘Pegasus’ cancelled its flights from three Russian airports due to visa problems. The company’s managing director, Anna Podgornaya, explained to local media that even though demand for Greek destinations is high, even ‘exceptional’, as she said, there were visa issues due to the Schengen area restrictions.
Easter holiday season shopping hours
The Easter work hours of stores will take effect from Thursday, April 28. In Athens, retail shops will be open be open from 9 am in the morning till 9 pm in the evening on Thursday, while they will be open between 1 pm and 7 pm on Good Friday, April 29. On Saturday they will open from 9 am in the morning to 3 pm.
Bulgaria, Romania 'Not Closing In on Rest of EU'
Bulgaria's environment has deteriorated in terms of democracy and governance over the past year, lagging behind Romania and remaining last in the EU, an annual index comparing EU members and accession countries shows.
Creditors leave Athens without a deal
Negotiations between Greece and the Quartet have failed as the lenders’ representatives are reportedly departing from Athens Thursday. The creditors are expected to make an announcement on their interruption of talks with Greece Thursday. Quartet officials said Wednesday, ‘We will return soon’.
EU 'not doing Turkey a favor' with visa-free travel, Erdo?an says
The European Union is "not doing Turkey a favor" by potentially granting Turkish citizens visa-free travel to EU member countries, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an said during an official trip to Croatia on April 27.
Extended review is taking a toll
The prolonged and seemingly endless negotiations between the government and its creditors, which have missed yet another agreement target date, Greek Easter this Sunday, are weighing heavily on Greece's already battered economy.
Tusk rejects Tsipras's summit request but Dijsselbloem says Eurogroup may be held soon
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is due to speak to European Council President Donald Tusk again on Thursday after the latter rejected his call on Wednesday for a leaders' summit to discuss Greece's bailout talks and with a potential agreement between Athens and the institutions hanging in the balance.
Olympic flame begins journey for Rio 2016 Summer Games (photos)
The Olympic flame began its journey from Greece to Rio, Brazil in a modest yet imposing ceremony held at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Wednesday. The holy flame was handed to the ‘Rio 2016’ Organising Committee from the Greek Olympic Committee.
Piraeus Bank redeems state-guaranteed bonds
Piraeus Bank said on Wednesday it will redeem the remaining state-guaranteed securities it issued under a liquidity boosting program launched in 2008, becoming the first Greek lender to fully exit the scheme.
Documentary on senior marathoners to premiere in Athens in aid of MDA Hellas
Following a successful screening at the 18th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in March, Eliana Abravanel's "Finish Line" will be the subject of a special avant premiere in Athens, at the Danaos cinema on May 11, starting at 8 p.m., with proceeds going in aid of MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Hellas.
Tinos marble craftsmen awarded UNESCO intangible world heritage list
In a ceremony at the amphitheatre of the Cultural Ministry, in Athens the official UNESCO World Intangible Heritage with the inclusion of Tinian marble crafting was presented to Greece. Citizens from the island of Tinos and marble craftsmen reps from the island were present, as was the Minister of Culture, Aristides Baltas. The President of the UNESCO Greek national committee, A.
IMF pressing demands outside bailout agreement, Athens says
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is pressing demands which are outside Greece's bailout agreement with creditors, the government spokeswoman said Wednesday, accusing the Washington-based institution of undermining the role of the Greek government and European Union institutions.
Juncker says demand for contingency package unreasonable and unconstitutional, report says
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has said that the contingency package of extra austerity measures for Greece demanded by creditors is unreasonable and unconstitutional, the German MNI agency reported Wednesday quoting unnamed sources.
Tusk rejects emergency summit, Athens blames setback on IMF
The head of the European Union is resisting Greece's demand for an emergency leaders' summit on the country's troubled bailout program, arguing that finance officials need to resume talks and agree within days on reforms needed.