MacroPolis

Balance of payments shows shipping on course for bumper year, but economic benefits unclear

By: Georgia Nakou

Shipping provided the one bright spot in Greece’s trade balance in May, with transportation contributing 2.16 billion in receipts, compared to 1.44 billion the same month last year, an increase of 50 pct

Athens cultivates Saudi Arabia relations, prepares for MBS visit

For some time, Athens has been investing in new partnerships in the wider Middle East region to justify its openness to a multidimensional foreign policy, but also to attract investments.

Athens braces for Erdogan bargaining at NATO summit

The annual NATO summit due to begin on Tuesday in Madrid comes at a critical time in the alliance's 73-year history.

Athens prods EU to resume enlargement process for Western Balkans

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moscow's growing influence in southeastern Europe and the EU membership applications by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have forced the EU to pay attention again to its stalled enlargement drive

Much riding on EU approval of plan to cap energy prices

The government is hoping to receive approval from the European Commission for its plan, set out by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a recent televised address, to cap energy prices for consumers – a policy that is the main weapon in New Democracy’s bid to fight back against the cost-of-living crisis and its political opponents.

Athens promotes role as energy hub as PM prepares for talks in Washington

In a highly symbolic move aimed at underlining the determination of Balkan countries to find alternatives to Russian gas, the Prime Ministers of Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Serbia will meet on Tuesday in the northeastern Greek city of Alexandroupolis.

Under increasing domestic pressure, govt awaits EU signs for response to energy security threat

Russia’s decision to act on its threat to cut off gas flows to Poland and Bulgaria in a row over sanctions has sharpened the government’s focus on the security of national energy supplies.

Effort to keep Greek-Turkish ties on even keel put under stress

The unofficial moratorium for calm relations between Greece and Turkey agreed recently by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come under strain over the last couple of days.

Expulsion of diplomats moves Greece further away from Russia, focus turns to energy

Bilateral relations between Greece and Russia entered uncharted waters after Athens made yet another momentous foreign policy decision by deciding to declare last week 12 Russian diplomats personae non gratae.

Parties re-work strategies as clearer picture emerges for election run-up

There is widespread acceptance among the Greek media and political commentators that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has dropped any thoughts of holding snap elections in the coming months, partly as a result of the battering his New Democracy party is taking due to the cost-of-living crisis.