Latest News from Greece
Greek benefit costs to drop below EU average, minister says
By Eleni Chrepa & Nikos Chrysoloras
The Greek government will bring social security costs for workers below the European Union average for the first time in July when it cuts contributions to the pension and health-care systems, Labor Minister Ioannis Vroutsis said.
Greek PM Samaras Proposes Constitutional Changes
Andonis Samaras, Greece's Prime Minister, has proposed that changes be introduced into the constitution envisaging direct presidential elections and a reduced number of MPs.
Samaras defends gov't record, attacks SYRIZA
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Thursday defended his conservative government's record while launching a vehement attack on leftist opposition SYRIZA.
Speaking to the parliamentary group of his New Democracy party, Samaras said the government had managed to put the Greek economy back on the road of recovery.
Russian Railways 'Could Buy Thessalonki Port'
Russia's state-owned railway company has shown interest in acquiring the shares of the Port of Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city.
Heralding a new era
Prime Minister Antonis Samarass proposals, presented yesterday, for a constitutional review represent a radical response to demands from Greek citizens for a complete overhaul of the countrys political system.
Greek unemployment dips to 26.5 pct in February
Greece's unemployment rate dipped to 26.5 percent in February from a downwardly revised 26.6 percent in the previous month, the country's statistics agency ELSTAT said on Thursday.
Greek banks give Paulson's Recovery Funds a boost in Q1
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss
Gains in Greek banks' shares gave billionaire investor John Paulson's $3.2 billion Recovery Funds a lift during the first quarter, and future returns are expected to keep climbing as the housing and real estate markets continue to recover.
Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Greece Discuss Energy Cooperation
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin and his Greek counterpart Evangelos Venizelos discussed Thursday in Thessaloniki energy cooperation.
FM attends EU-W. Balkans Ministerial Conference
FM attends EU-W. Balkans Ministerial Conference
BELGRADE -- An EU-Western Balkans ministerial conference is taking place in Thessaloniki on Thursday, and Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić is attending.
Greece's National Bank prices share offer at 2-2.6 euros
The National Bank of Greece has priced its share offer at 2.00-2.60 euros a share, in a placing worth up to 2.5 billion euros, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
There has been incredibly broad-based demand, one of the sources said.
Troika presses for more prescriptions of generic drugs
Greece is under pressure from the troika to increase the prescription of cheaper, generic medicines, which has only reached around 20 percent, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said on Wednesday.
PM outlines proposals for constitutional reform
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Wednesday presented his partys proposals for sweeping changes to the Greek Constitution, heralding reforms that would reduce the terms of state officials and increase the accountability of ministers as well as the transparency of political parties.
Greece's airborne firefighting fleet in ‘borderline’ state
The state of Greeces fleet of firefighting planes was described as more or less borderline by Public Order Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday as a wildfire broke out southeast of Athens.
Greece comes second in Blue Flag program for clean beaches
Greek beaches have been awarded 408 Blue Flags for excellent water quality, putting the country in second place out of 51 countries after Spain, according to the Blue Flag program which is managed by the Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education.