Latest News from Greece
Citizenship bill presented
A new bill foreseeing the granting of Greek citizenship to tens of thousands of second-generation immigrants was put up for public consultation on Thursday.
Greek FM discusses FYROM unrest in talks with EU's Mogherini
Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and the European Union?s top foreign policy official, Federica Mogherini, on Thursday discussed rising tensions in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which have led to FYROM resurrecting demands for its accession to the EU and NATO despite an ongoing dispute with Greece over the Balkan state?s official name.
Creditors push for reform proposals as talks resume
Negotiations between Greece and its creditors resumed at the technical level via teleconference on Thursday. Meanwhile, with pressure for a deal growing as cash reserves dwindle, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis proposed that Greece push back the repayment of bonds held by the European Central Bank.
Parthenon Marbles campaigners vexed by Greek minister's comments
Campaigners advocating the return of the Parthenon Marbles expressed disappointment on Thursday at a statement by Alternate Minister for Culture Nikos Xydakis suggesting that Athens would opt for political and diplomatic routes over a legal one to secure the priceless artifacts.
IMF insists on program targets
By Katerina Sokou
While the International Monetary Fund is examining all possibilities, its baseline scenario is for Greece to remain in the eurozone as this is also the expressed wish of Athens, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said on Thursday ahead of an informal meeting of the Fund?s board in the presence of European Central Bank President Mario Draghi in Washington.
Yanis waxes nostalgic: 'I wish we had the drachma'…!
“Drachma nostalgia” was on the menu on Thursday at an Athens conference addressed by FinMin Yanis Varoufakis, who said he wished the country had not switched to the euro!
Eurobank says Q1 losses are down y-o-y
Eurobank reported on Thursday a drop in its first-quarter losses to 94 million euros ? against losses of 524 million euros in October-December ? and a 7.2 percent quarterly increase in profits before provisions.
Greece spends 16.2 pct of GDP on pensions
By Roula Salourou
Greece will remain among the countries with the highest pensions in Europe over the next four decades if reforms concerning the level of pensions and the age of retirement are implemented, according to a European Commission report.
EBRD to lend Greek SMEs up to 500 mln per annum
Bank will likely open its first office in the country this year
British press again focus on Parthenon Marbles, as legal challenge fades
The issue of Greece’s standing demand for the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum has generated renewed interest by a portion of the UK press recently, with the Guardian, Telegraph and BBC all touching on the issue.
Fixed prices to be reintroduced for books, says minister
A fixed price regime for books sold in Greece will be restored, Alternate Minister for Culture Nikos Xydakis said on Thursday.
Book prices were liberalized as part of market reforms in 2013 but Xydakis argues that ?there was no fiscal or social benefit? to the measure.
Greek government defends itself over central bank tensions
By Renee Maltezou & Lefteris Papadimas
Greece's leftist government on Thursday sought to deflect criticism over tensions with the Bank of Greece, saying it respected the bank's independence but was free to castigate the governor for actions he took as finance minister.
Greece to privatize port, airports in concession to creditors
By Agnes Lovasz and Paul Tugwell
Greece will continue with efforts to privatize the country's largest port and regional airports as it seeks ways to attract investment for other state assets, Economy Minister George Stathakis said, in a government concession in talks with its creditors.
Defence minister Dusa, at Distinguished Visitors Day of tactical exercise SEEBA-15
The military exercises for regional cooperation in South-Eastern Europe should take place regardless of the political and military situation, the National Defence minister Mircea Dusa said on Thursday.
Defence Minister Dusa participates in SEEBA ? 15 tactical drill on the Babadag firing range
Photo credit: (c) Luisiana BIGEA / AGERPRES PHOTO
Greece says EBRD deal worth up to 500 million euros a year
Greece signed an investment deal worth up to 500 million euros a year with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on Thursday, gaining a rare financial endorsement from the region for its attempts to remain solvent.