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Tuesday, 19 April 2016

Greek govt dismisses possibility of snap election, referendum

The government spokeswoman on Tuesday dismissed reports that the Tsipras government is considering snap elections or yet another referendum on creditors’ terms, with her comments coming amid a resumption of…

The future of European industry is digital

Andrus Ansip, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Günther H. Oettinger, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Carlos…

Latest figures put recent refugees / migrants in Greece at 54K

The Greek government on Tuesday put the number of Mideast refugees and migrants in the country — who entered Greek territory from Turkey over the recent period as part of…

Negotiations between Athens, lenders now shift to ‘fail clause’ measures worth 3 to 3.5 bln€

By Giorgos Kouros Upwards of three billion euros of additional measures are apparently the latest result of hasty negotiations between the Greek government and institutional creditors, with press reports pointing…

Gradual liberalization of NPLs now on the table in bid by Athens to conclude first review

By Thanos Tsiros The Greek government is expected to offer a more compromising position in this week’s renewed talks with institutional creditors over the still pending issue of non-performing loans…

Monday, 18 April 2016

British Airways to begin summer flight schedule to Greece this month

British Airways will inaugurate its summer flight schedule to Greece late in April, with two new routes planned for Kalamata and Chania, Crete, while more flights will be added for…

Commission VP Katainen: Juncker plan involves European financing without Greek state’s involvement

EU Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen met with Greek leadership and unveiled the Commission’s so-called “Juncker plan” to Greek Parliament MPs on Monday. During comments before a relevant committee, Katainen also…

Greek govt: We’re ready to fully implement July 2015 agreement, nothing more

Greek government spokeswoman on Monday echoed previous statements by top ministers and PM Alexis Tsipras over a willingness by Athens to implement all of the terms of last summer’s bailout…

Commission spox: Creditors’ reps back in Athens on Monday, Tuesday

Representatives of institutional creditors, the so-called “quartet”, are expected to return to Athens for negotiations either on Monday or Tuesday, a Commission spokesman said in Brussels. Spokesman Margaritis Schinas added…

Sector sources: Pre-bookings down in March, sans UK market

By Antonis Tsiblakis Pro-bookings in March for Greek holidays in 2016 are reportedly down in all “traditional” tourism markets, sans the UK. According to domestic tourism sources, pre-bookings in March,…

Trivago: Rome, Corfu again top Greek tourists’ choices for Orthodox Easter holidays

Rome continues to be the preferred destination for Greek travellers during the upcoming Orthodox Easter season, with Easter week beginning on April 24 and climaxing on Easter Sunday, May 1.…

Idomeni rail line finally cleared of refugee protesters; shippers decry situation

Greece’s main north-south rail line leading out of the country was finally opened on Monday after being closed at the Idomeni border post for 30 days due to third country…

Govt tax draft bill expected this week

The government appears ready to table a draft bill envisioning almost across-the-board tax increases, worth 3.6 billion euros, in Parliament this week, despite no previous agreement over the package with…

Sunday, 17 April 2016

Schäuble, Sapin in Greek program; both insist on IMF role

Both German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and his French counterpart Michel Sapin appeared optimistic that an agreement to achieve a first review between Greece and its institutional lenders is possible…

Τsipras now points to May 1 as target for first review by creditors; SYRIZA continues to trail in opinion polls

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras again reiterated his government’ s belief that a first review of the Greek program (third bailout) can be achieved by Orthodox Easter (May 1), which…

Greek finance ministry reveals first figures of ongoing income tax returns for 2015

Tax returns are now being filed in Greece at an average of 21,000 per day, despite uncertainty over which tax hikes will be tacked on to this year’s declarations and an ongoing…

Saturday, 16 April 2016

Greek banks get boost from ECB decision allowing sale of EFSF notes

A European Central Bank decision on Friday to make EFSF bonds – used to recapitalize Greek banks under the most recent Greek bailout program – eligible for purchase under its QE plan…

Greek ministers again try to navigate between opposition IMF, European positions on bailout program review

Negotiations between the Greek government’s top ministers and international leaders focusing directly on the still unresolved issue of a first review for the Greek program (third bailout) shifted to Washington…

Pope Francis begins symbolic visit to Lesvos; greeted by Patriach

Roman Catholic Pope Francis arrived on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos (Lesbos) on Saturday morning as part of a Vatican effort to focus international attention and relief efforts on…

Friday, 15 April 2016

Greek budget primary surplus at 2.679 bln euros in Jan-Mar period‏

Greece’s primary budget surplus totaled 2.679 billion euros in the first quarter of 2016, up from 1.732 billion over the corresponding period last year and bettering a target of 1.095…

Political leaders clash in Parliament; ND ahead in latest opinion poll

A Parliament debate on Friday over a proposal to establish a committee of inquiry to probe political parties’ finances as well as bank loans to parties and mass media in…

Report: Greek interests record most used ship purchases in Q1 2016

Greek shipowners and Greek-interest companies continued to dominate in second hand ship sales sector in the first quarter of 2016, albeit at a slower pace than the corresponding period of…

Poverty, based on EU criteria, increasing in Greece

By Nikos Bellos Poverty, based on Europe’s criteria of the phenomenon, has increased in Greece over the past five years, with the problems taking on unprecedented dimensions in 2015 for…

Eurobank report: Greek economy stagnant in 2014-15

Economic growth in Greece appears stagnant in the first quarter of 2016, a report by Eurobank states on Friday. Eurobank’s chief analysts cite the stagnation of the Greek economy over…

Total bill from increased taxes at 7.2 bln euros

By Thanos Tsiros The expected “bill” from various increases of direct and indirect taxes is expected to reach a projected 7.2 billion euros in less than 10 months in order…

Thursday, 14 April 2016

Fraport announces CEO for Greek subsidiary; 14 regional airports under private management

Alexander Zinell has been tapped to assume the position of CEO of Fraport Greece, the company set up by parent Fraport AG after it acquired the management of 14 regional…

Group of Somali irregular migrants detained in western Greece; probe launched

Tempers again flared up at a temporary refugee shelter in the Katsika township, southwest of the northwest city of Ioannina, after police scattered a group of Mideast refugees that had…

Greek prosecutors focus on latest “list” involving offshore entities, this time from Panama

Greek financial crimes prosecutors are expected to begin checks and probes on the Greek citizens that appear on the so-called “Panama Papers” as managers of offshore companies or foundations. Meanwhile,…

Greek PM: signs of ‘economic recovery’; briefs Schulz on Greek program

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras took to Twitter on Thursday to state that his government has upheld it side of an agreement with creditors, while no new measures are necessary.…

Veropoulos group aims to link super market operation with Jumbo toy stores in Serbian, fYRoM markets

By Danae Alexaki The opening of the first Jumbo toy retailer in Serbia will inaugurate the Veropoulos group’s exclusive activity outside Greece after the well-known and family-run company’s exit from…