Politics
Lenders agree new loan disbursement, piecemeal approach to debt relief
Eurozone finance ministers reached an agreement on the conditions for a disbursement of 10.3 billion euros for Greece early on Wednesday, along with a looser deal on debt relief that may lead to the International Monetary Fund remaining involved in the Greek programme.
Tsipras and Erdogan seek ways to overcome Greek-Turkish tension
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emerged from a meeting in Istanbul on Monday with a seemingly common desire to improve relations between their two countries, which have been tested by recent events.
Tsipras sails through multi-bill vote, looks to disbursement and debt relief
The government breezed through the multi-bill vote on Sunday and has put the ball in the lenders’ court regarding the disbursement of bailout funds and debt relief.
Coalition under fire over multi-bill but aiming to stay united for vote
Ahead of Sunday’s crucial vote on the multi-bill submitted to Parliament this week, there appeared little sign of dissent among government MPs despite the negative reaction prompted by much of the legislation involved.
Slow pace of returns and relocations leaves refugee crisis finely balanced
The refugee crisis is back in the spotlight, and for reasons that indicate Greece still finds itself in a precarious position that could deteriorate rapidly if the agreement between the European Union and Turkey falls apart in the coming months.
Tsipras seeking repeat of full support from coalition MPs in upcoming bailout vote
Ministers are due to begin on Wednesday the effort of ensuring that all government MPs will support the multi-bill due to be submitted to Parliament by the end of the day.
Inauguration of TAP pipeline project offers investment, diplomatic boost
The signing of the agreement for the construction of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) in Thessaloniki marks a significant moment for Greece in diplomatic and investment terms.
Coalition prepares final legislation for review, opposition expects no upsets for now
Another week devoted to drafting and voting new legislation awaits the government, which aims to complete the remaining bailout measures ahead of the May 24 Eurogroup.
![Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2013/10/10/stournarasasmussen_1000_1010-medium.jpg "Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]")
Stournaras calls for lower primary surplus target, debt relief measures
Speaking at a conference of the Confederation of Northern Greece Industries (SBEE), the Bank of Greece (BoG) governor Yannis Stournaras suggested on Friday that Greece’s primary surplus target of 3.5 percent of GDP in 2018 should be lowered to 2 percent.
Greece seeks to mend fences with Austria but frets about EU-Turkey deal
Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias' decision to visit Vienna this week has been viewed as a goodwill gesture from Athens in a bid to restore its relations with Austria, which had been sorely tested by the refugee crisis.