News archive of July 2023

The way for the retirement of more than 150,000 EFKA debtors is opened by a draft law of the Ministry of Labor, increasing the debt limit to 30,000 euros.

At the same time, it foresees the abolition of the 30% "penalty" in the pensions of those who work and its replacement with a special contribution, for incomes over €5,000.

In the last week of June and on the last day of his holiday in Greece, I met George Mitchell at Costa Navarino, in the Peloponnese. The American politician, diplomat, lawyer and former Democratic senator served as the majority leader of the United States Senate from 1989 to 1995. He 89 years old today and has had leukemia for a few years.

As I heard the news of the explosion at the ammunition dump in Nea Anchialos last week, I confess to a serious sense of unease. It was not the usual unease about the Greek state that consistently collapses at times of crisis, about the deep state that is incapable of change and learning from its mistakes, that improvises and, as a result, messes up.

Greece's inflation rose slightly to 3.4% in July, compared with 2.8% in June, according to Eurostat data. Eurozone inflation stood at 5.3% in July 2023, down from 5.5% in June.

Greece and Cyprus on Monday welcomed moves by Turkey to boost relations with the European Union, but said rapprochement should be gradual and not unconditional. European Union foreign ministers said on July 20 they were ready to re-engage with Turkey, but stopped short of offering Ankara a clear resumption of membership talks.

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic met with Japan's new Ambassador to Serbia Akira Imamura on Monday to discuss joint projects in energy and environmental protection.

The Hellenic Fire Service has responded to a fire in the suburb of Kifissia, north of Athens, on Monday that is burning in the area surrounding the old Grand Chalet hotel.

According to information from the scene, the blaze is burning dry grass and garbage located at the back of the hotel. The HFS has stated that there is no risk of the fire spreading to nearby homes.

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Ivica Dacic received the UK's newly-appointed Ambassador to Belgrade Edward Ferguson on Monday.

Dacic welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his work, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Main opposition party SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance on Monday officially announced the launch of the campaign for the election of a new party leader, scheduled to be held on September 10.

Two main pre-electoral mottos are "On September 10, I participate" and "Tomorrow begins with us", it was noted in the party announcement.

Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev signed a decree today scheduling the elections for mayors and municipal councilors for October 29.

The head of state has determined the date after a working meeting with representatives of the leadership of the Central Election Commission (CEc).