Nikos Pappas

A high-level Greek delegation has traveled to Brussels in the hope of finding common ground between Athens and its lenders before Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande in Belgium on Wednesday.

Negotiations are continuing in Brussels on Monday, says Government Spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis. A Greek delegation headed by Greek State Minister Nikos Pappas and Alt. Foreign Minister for International Economic Affairs Euclid Tsakalotos are in Brussels for meetings. The goal is to bring convergence between the Greek government and the country’s creditors.

By George Georgakopoulos

Olympiakos had a harder time than expected in beating depleted Panathinaikos in Game 1 of the final series of the Basket League on Sunday, but will still be happy with the 76-70 result at the Peace and Friendship Stadium that maintains it as the clear favorite to win back the league title from its eternal rival.

“Dueling proposals” was the theme of Tuesday’s back-and-forth leaks by Greece’s leftist government and its international creditors, with the latter appearing ready to table a draft text of a deal.

Time is running out for the Greek Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government that is in a rush against time to decode the moves and intentions of Greece’s creditors from the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The Greek Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government wants a speedy agreement with its international creditors from the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund even if it is somewhat unbalanced as long as there are elements of “mutual benefit”. All that SYRIZA seeks is a little give-and-take from Greece’s creditors so that the economy can stabilize.

Washington increased the pressure on Athens on Friday to concentrate on the completion of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) rather than devote efforts toward the extension of the planned Turkish Stream pipeline so it runs through Greece.

Washington’s special envoy for energy met with top Greek ministers in Athens on Friday on the heels of the leftist government’s ongoing talks with Russia’s Putin to clinch a pipeline deal, a prospect viewed with apprehension by the US side.

By George Georgakopoulos

Four days before facing off in the battle that will determine the top spot in the regular season, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos scored easy league wins on Tuesday in games postponed from the previous round due to their Euroleague commitments.

 Government is mulling idea of postponing implementation of some key election pledges until next year

By Prokopis Hatzinikolaou