News archive of February 2015

 Greece sends list, aims to raise 3 bln euros in extra revenues this year, but further consultation needed

The Brussels Group, technical teams from Greece and its lenders, is on Saturday due to begin discussing the details of Athens reform proposals, which were completed Friday and will determine to a large extent whether creditors decide to release further bailout funding.

DUBAI - World number one Novak Djokovic reached the final of the ATP tennis tournament in Dubai, after defeating Czech Tomas Berdych 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 on Friday.

Djokovic will try to win his fifth Dubai trophy, and to do that, he will have to overcome Swiss Roger Federer, who beat Croatia's Borna Coric 6-2, 6-1.

Efforts by Greece?s opposition parties New Democracy and PASOK to deconstruct the government?s narrative following a controversial deal with foreign lenders last week are being compromised by internal dissent.

Turkey?s foreign trade deficit narrowed in January to $4.31 billion, a 37.5 percent decrease from the same month of the previous year, due to the decrease in oil prices and the rise in gold exports, mainly to Switzerland.

BELGRADE - Serbia is pursuing its policy, following its EU path and maintaining good cooperation and traditionally good relations with Russia, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic stated on Friday and added that he expects the first chapters in the EU accession talks to open by the end of June or September.

Bulgaria's gross external debt amounted to EUR 39,558.2 million (94.3% of GDP) in end-December 2014, up by EUR 2,634 million (7.1%) from end-2013 (EUR 36,924.2 million, 90% of GDP), according to data of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB).

STARA PAZOVA - The Serbian government is working towards improving the position of the Serb community in all countries of the Western Balkans as part of efforts to improve Serbia's position in the international community, Minister of Justice Nikola Selakovic said at a meeting of representatives of the Serb communities in the region Friday.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras denied on Friday that his country would have to seek a third international bailout when a four month extension to its current program expires.

In a televised speech to his cabinet, Tsipras also said the government had requested a reduction in the country's debt, even though EU/IMF creditors insist Greece must meet its obligations in full.

A Picasso painting stolen from the Georges Pompidou center in Paris in 2001 was discovered in the United States, where it was sent as… a Christmas gift, according to New York’s judicial authorities.

The painting is valued at many a million dollars, according to the Brooklyn D.A. It is estimated at 30 million euros.

The National Gallery has been tasked with authenticating 92 paintings seized from the homes of two men accused of running an art forgery racket and allegedly netting 308,000 euros from a buyer.