GEK Terna

The Athens stock market reopened on Tuesday after a four-day break, making moderate gains on particularly low turnover as traders are expecting the results of Wednesday?s Euro Working Group meeting as well as the outcome of the prime minister?s visit to Moscow.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 777.47 points, adding 0.80 percent to Thursday?s 771.32 points.

Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis said on Wednesday he is in favor of public-private partnerships with more than one stakeholder for the privatization of the country?s infrastructure.

With the omens from the negotiations in Brussels being far from positive on Tuesday, the benchmark of the Greek stock market ended the month of March with losses of 11.93 percent, while banks declined by 24.69 percent. The banks index lost 41.53 percent in the first quarter of the year.

By Jonathan Stearns and Paul Tugwell

As dusk falls on the plains outside the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, Georgios Plaitakis opens up the throttle of his diesel-powered passenger train and settles in for the nine-hour journey east to the frontier.

By Chryssa Liaggou

The SYRIZA-led government and the European Union do not see eye to eye on their energy strategy, as the bloc «is dominated by the most dogmatic and extreme neoliberal policies,» according to the Greek Production Reconstruction and Energy Minister Panayiotis Lafazanis.

The Greek stock market fell for a third day in a row on Friday as concerns about the state?s cash flow rose due to statements by ministers.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 880.48 points, shedding 2.67 percent from Thursday?s 904.59 points. On a weekly basis the benchmark added 3.08 percent, but February posted a 21.96 percent rise.

Growth in stock prices and trading volume on Friday confirmed widespread optimism about a deal will be achieved now that the government has restored contacts with the troika of Greece?s international creditors.

By Chryssa Liaggou

International concern is growing following the announcement of the government?s program in Parliament, with worries expressed and interest withdrawn in a number of instances concerning investment and privatization projects.