Elliniko-Argyroupoli

Greece's government plans to speed up the regulatory process so that a long-delayed tourist investment project at a disused Athens airport can be launched by the end of the year, Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis said on Monday.

A series of decisions by the Council of State pave the way for the stalled multi-million-euro development of the former Athens airport plot at Elliniko on the Greek capital's southern coast to get back on track.

For the first time in many years there are no clouds on the horizon for the Greek economy and its prospects are viewed as especially positive.

The climate on the Athens Stock exchange is positive as the general index soared to 900 points for the first time since SYRIZA took office in January, 2015.

Lamda Development spoke on Wednesday of an unexpected reversal of the agreement with the government regarding the development of the old Athens airport at Elliniko, against the spirit of talks in the last 10 days.

If the Greek civil administration had always operated at the pace it has been over the last couple of weeks, Greece would rival Denmark in state efficiency.

The government has suddenly sprung into action, rushing to close the Afandou sale, clear the way for the Elliniko development and sell 30 percent of Athens International Airport.

The state has had all the studies and documents required for the issue of the ministerial decision required for the Elliniko development project to proceed since mid-February, Odysseas Athanasiou, chief executive at Lamda Development, said on Tuesday at the listed company's general meeting.

The government to take office after the July 7 general election will have to tackle the Elliniko casino permit issue. Just 13 days before the deadline for binding offers, all signs point to a fresh extension until after the polls.

Greece has given potential suitors one more month to bid for a license to build and operate a casino resort on the Athens Riviera, the country's gaming commission said on Monday.

ADD, Greece's biggest electronic music festival, returns to Athens for its second edition on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, and this year's events will be taking place on the site of the old airport at Elliniko on the capital's southern coast.