International Monetary Fund

Romanians are about to be hit by a series of price hikes, as new excise taxes on gasoline and cigarettes become effective this week on April 1.

The new fuel tax is set at seven cents a litre, meaning a price increase of 0.41 lei (0.09 euro) per litre of fuel, according to estimates.

The International Monetary Fund said on Friday it had reviewed Cyprus’s economy under a bailout program and approved a loan disbursement for about $115 million.

The international lender said the disbursement brings total lending to date under the IMF’s $1.4 billion program with Cyprus to about $459 million.

By Lefteris Papadimas & George Georgiopoulos

Greek banks that are majority-owned by the country's bank rescue fund HFSF will be allowed to issue new shares to boost their capital at market prices, according to a draft bill that also gives the rescue fund legal cover to see its stakes diluted.

BY Jan Strupczewski & Martin Santa

The eurozone is not making any preparations for a third bailout for Greece and will consider it only if expressly asked by Athens, which has not happened so far, a senior eurozone official said on Thursday.

 Decision hinges on Greek Parliament’s voting on the multi-bill

 Trial bond issue will likely come after the European elections, while needs are covered up to May 2015

By Sotiris Nikas

Cyprus's economic crisis could hasten a deal to end decades of enmity between the island's estranged Greeks and Turks, its outgoing United Nations envoy said on Thursday.

Reunification talks resumed between the two sides on February 11.

Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund have signed a deal granting a USD 14-18 B package to the country, IMF mission's head Nikolay Gueorguiev has announced.

Under the new agreement, up to USD 27 B more could be allocated to Kiev over the next two years.

Ukraine has agreed on a 50% increase of gas prices for domestic consumers.

Hike of gas bills is part of conditionality set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if Ukraine is to be granted an aid package.

State energy company Naftogaz reported that price changes will be into force from May 1, with more rises due to be made until 2018.

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has said his centre-left government will not revoke a controversial fuel tax coming into force on April 1, but promised compensatory measures.

“The measure will help ‘fair' transporters, without a history of tax evasion, who will be able to recover most of the costs [of the new tax],” Ponta said, without offering further details.