Philosophy of life

Indeed, yesterday, when we were at Bazoches, there was a very nice quote from Jean Monnet, who has said: 'I am not pessimistic, I am not optimistic, I am determined.'

End-of-the-year reports indicate that the Greek economy is moving in the right direction. Poll figures, representing the view of the man on the street, reports from institutions such as the European Central Bank, representing the views of the experts, and lower rates for Greek government bonds, representing the views of the market, agree: Greece is changing course.

Maybe it is because we are so accustomed to division and dysfunction that whenever a Greek does well abroad, or whenever our politicians, state machinery or institutions get something right, we break free of our malaise and are overwhelmed by joy and optimism.

Businesspeople in Greece appeared much more optimistic in the latter half of 2019 about the next 12 months, though this optimism was not reflected in earnings or sales, let alone salaries.

Every third Bulgarian expects a better 2020 than the previous, 2019. These numbers are according to a poll conducted by the Gallup International poll agency.

Globally, Bulgaria is close to the average of optimism. However, when it comes to personal happiness, we are still in the extreme places of the charts, sociologists comment.

More than 80% of Russians, to varying degrees, consider themselves to be happy, according to a VCIOM poll cited by BGNES.

According to the survey, 81% of Russians "definitely" or "rather" consider themselves happy, and 17% of Russian citizens feel "more likely" or "definitely" unhappy.

The fact that Greece was able to sell treasury bills with a negative yield for the first time is a major milestone which carries significant symbolic weight.

Veteran market analysts know that the economy is determined above all by the economic climate, the atmosphere, expectations.

All the rest comes afterwards.

When expectations are reborn and a climate of optimism is restored everything frees up.

Consumers calm down and businessmen are more willing to take risks.

Greeks are the most pessimistic among their EU peers about the future of the European Union, according to the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2019 published on Monday, which inquired about topics such as the European political situation, the economy and European citizenship.

Six illegal migrants and two smugglers have been detained by Burgas border police, Border Police DG said.