Economy of Europe

Croats faced with court seizures of their personal bank accounts and with unpayable loans that result in forced evictions are organising a series of protests in Zagreb.

"Association Blocked", representing people with blocked bank accounts, is to hold a protest on Thursday in front of the government building in Zagreb.

By Nikos Roussanoglou

Construction has been hit harder than all other economic sectors during the Greek crisis years, with its added value dropping 78 percent within five years, while one of the biggest local firms, Michaniki, has just been forced into administration.

Nord Pool Spot, the energy exchange running Europe's largest electricity market, signed Wednesday an agreement also to manage activity at IBEX, the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange.

As many as 380 companies from 20 states trade on the Nord Pool Spot. IBEX, on the other hand, was recently granted a 10-year license to organize the market in Bulgaria.

Greek bank stocks received a much needed boost from news of the ELA extension by the European Central Bank, sending the banks index up 13.40 percent and helping the benchmark recover 2 percent on Wednesday after three consecutive sessions of losses.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 719.43 points, rising 2.08 percent from Tuesday?s 704.74 points.

Türk Telekom offered on April 22 to buy the remaining $300 million stake it doesn?t already own in mobile company Avea, a deal that would allow it to avoid having to float the struggling wireless firm.

Construction of the gas interconnection grid between Bulgaria and Greece will begin in March 2016 and will be completed by the end of 2018, Bulgaria's Energy Minister has said.

Under initial plans, the infrastructure was to be in place and become operational sometime in 2018.

BELGRADE - The Serbian dinar dropped by 0.1 percent on Wednesday, making the official middle exchange rate RSD 120.0798 per one euro, the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) released.

 Gazprom agrees to the creation of a consortium for the construction of gas pipeline?s Greek extension

By Chryssa Liaggou

The leap forward in Greek-Russian relations that the government had been hoping for did not happen on Tuesday during Gazprom chief Alexey Miller?s visit to Athens.

The benchmark of the Greek bourse on Tuesday recorded a new 31-month low as many investors appear to be disengaging themselves from the ominous conditions of the local market.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 704.74 points, shedding 3.33 percent from Monday?s 728.98 points.

The boss of Russian energy giant Gazprom will meet Greece?s prime minister in Athens on Tuesday, after reports that the two parties are set to sign a pipeline deal in which Russia would make billions in an advance payment to cash-strapped Greece.