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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Parliament’s Poor Debate

Absent were the orators of yore – the transformation of partisan leader to statesman, the dominant figure who rises above narrow political boundaries and no matter what adversity permeates the state of the nation, raises Greece’s shoulders, making it respectable. There was an exception, though, in that June 5 Parliamentary gathering. Evangelos Venizelos did speak […] The post Parliament’s Poor Debate appeared first on The National Herald.


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World Press View: Betting on Greece Risky Business

Following Greece's roller-coaster ride with international lenders is not for the weak-hearted, especially if there's money riding on it. The post World Press View: Betting on Greece Risky Business appeared first on The National Herald.


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Merkel-Hollande-Tsipras meeting in doubt as Greek proposal falls short

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A planned meeting between the leaders of Germany, France, and Greece on Wednesday was in doubt as Greece's reform proposals to unlock new funding to ward off a debt default fell well short, European Union officials said. Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras were to have met on the fringes of a summit of EU leaders and heads of state and government of Latin American countries in Brussels, to clinch a political agreement on technical proposals submitted earlier by Greece.


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EXCLUSIVE: Greek statement on debt talks

“The Greek government is fully committed to maintain fiscal stability and follow the common rules of the Eurozone without compromising its ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.euronews.com

Hedge funds see Greek end game approaching

Hedge fund managers looking to profit from corporate announcements such as mergers and acquisitions are scaling up their bets in Europe, confident that a resolution of the Greek debt crisis is near and will spark an increase in deal-making.


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Rumors of US envoy's premature departure from Greece not true

US Ambassador to Greece David Pearce will host a Declaration of Independence reception on July 2, as July 4 falls on a Sunday.


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Former Greek state broadcaster returns Wednesday

Greece’s revived public broadcaster ERT will begin TV and radio programs on Wednesday.


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National Bank of Greece : Greece Submits New Proposals Amid Bailout Extension Speculation

Greece has entered advanced talks with international creditors and submitted bailout proposals, the European Commission confirmed to Reuters ...


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Head of Greek Parliament's budget office testifies in bailouts probe, sees 'memorandums' until 2018

Greece will most likely remain under "memorandum" regimes until at least 2018 unless there is an "honest agreement" with its creditors, the head of the Greek Parliament's Budget Office Panagiotis Liargovas said on Tuesday. He was testifying in an ongoing ...


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New Democracy criticises Tsipras for saying Grexit would destroy Eurozone

Main opposition, New Democracy attacked Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday for saying that a potential Grexit would destroy the eurozone. "He hasn’t realized that the only one who will be destroyed by a Grexit will be Greece,” party spokesman ...


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UN forced to step up staff on Greek islands

THE United Nations has been forced to step-up efforts to process thousands of migrants arriving each day on Greek islands popular with European ...


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Migrants crossing Mediterranean exceed 100000 this year

"Record numbers of the refugees are arriving in flimsy rubber dinghies and wooden boats on the Greek island of Lesvos, putting an enormous strain ...


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Samantha Cristoforetti Sets New Records For Longest Stint In Space

Step aside, Sunita Williams. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti has set a new record for the longest uninterrupted stint in space by a woman--as well as the longest such stint by any ESA astronaut. Cristoforetti, 38, who is scheduled to return to Earth from the International Space Station on June 11, has been in space since Nov. 23, 2014. When she comes home, she will have spent 200 consecutive days in space. (You can watch the return live here beginning at 9 a.m. EDT.) Williams, a 49-year-old NASA astronaut, previously held the record for the longest uninterrupted stint in space by a woman. She spent 195 days aboard the ISS in 2007. The first Italian woman in space, Cristoforetti originally had been scheduled to return to Earth a month earlier. Her stay aboard the ISS was extended after a Russian cargo spacecraft failed to reach the station. "Looks like it's not time to get my spacesuit ready yet...what a present!" she tweeted after the delay was announced. During her time in space, Cristoforetti has conducted research on weightlessness and sampled the first espresso in space, among other duties. But she's found the time to maintain a high profile on Twitter as @astrosamantha, and is known for posting some pretty spectacular photos. Scroll down to see some of her best. Yesterday @AstroTerry, @AntonAstrey and I spent some quality time in the #Soyuz getting ready for landing! #Futura42 pic.twitter.com/8hw1kZLdMB— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) June 9, 2015 A sinister cloud far on the horizon. #HelloEarth pic.twitter.com/iMj19OjcHL— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) June 4, 2015 Good night from #space. Buona notte dallo spazio. pic.twitter.com/CYxuysrFcK— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) June 4, 2015 Hallo #Torino! That's where many modules of the Space Station were built! #Italy pic.twitter.com/yG4XXtmApT— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) June 1, 2015 Written by Milan school children in their 1st language: #DareToFly! No matter where you're from & where life took U. pic.twitter.com/rWMlvCdNS3— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 31, 2015 A moving night view of #Europe. From #Greece up the Balkans and the Adriatic. Where do you think is that lightning? pic.twitter.com/I9Ez68ZUI9— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 31, 2015 No real nights these days, Sun always close to the horizon. Still, I can see some moon glint on the Adriatic! #taly pic.twitter.com/vozBdmPVPW— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 30, 2015 Good night from #space. Buona notte dallo spazio. pic.twitter.com/GjZFAMc9N9— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 27, 2015 Good night from #space. Buona notte dallo spazio. pic.twitter.com/ZAnEQCQr0F— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 24, 2015 Now #Dragon is at release position. Houston just gave @StationCDRKelly GO for release. Release window opens in 4 min. pic.twitter.com/eaiDROWyUc— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 21, 2015 Hello Bangkok! And a wonderful evening to you all in #Thailand. pic.twitter.com/ig3EI0LsSD— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 19, 2015 Hello #Venice! Ciao Venezia! #Italy #HelloEarth pic.twitter.com/6yHn2A8R9J— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) May 11, 2015 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.


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Greek Govt: We Have Compromised, Expect Institutions to Meet Us Half Way

The Greek government has covered half the distance on the issue of primary surpluses and expects the institutions to meet it half way, government sources said on Tuesday, adding that Athens has proposed a primary surplus of 0.75% for 2015 and 1.75% for 2016. The sources also said that in the new proposals sent to the institutions on Monday, revising a 47-page proposal presented last week, the government has hiked the medium VAT rate to 12%. The initial proposals called for a medium VAT rate of 11%. Athens has also asked creditors for a clear commitment, outlining when and how there will be a settlement on Greece’s debt. On the basis of the revised proposals from the Greek side, there would be three VAT rates: a low 6.5% rate reserved for pharmaceuticals, books and theatre tickets, a medium 12% rate for newspapers, magazines, fresh and staple food, water and power, hotels and restaurants, and a high 23% rate for all other goods and services. The government’s plans are still unclear in regards to the VAT rate on Greek islands, which currently enjoy low VAT to offset the handicaps of island life. There have been thoughts within the government that this lower rate should remain but equivalent measures must be found instead, which makes this difficult. The government is now awaiting a written response to its new proposals before Wednesday’s meeting between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande. (source: ana-mpa)


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

Heinous Child Murder by Greek Policeman in Thessaloniki

The family tragedy after a policeman murdered a seven-year-old child in a Thessaloniki suburb has caused widespread shock and anger across Greece. The forty-eight-year-old offender is a Greek policeman and had just returned to service from a nine-month parental leave after the birth of his second child. The policeman, who strangled his seven-year-old daughter on Tuesday afternoon inside the family home, is now detained at Thessaloniki Police Headquarters where he is scrupulously interrogated. According to the testimony of a man close to the family, the child murderer called the police and said: “Come here quickly because I strangled my daughter.” The witness also stated that the mother was not at home at the time of the crime, and when she returned, she could not even enter the house because police cars and ambulances had already arrived. The ambulance crew made great efforts to keep the unfortunate girl alive, but it was too late. The desperate mother is said to be crying and screaming, and after a while she was transferred to the hospital in a shock where she was intubated. Neighbors said that the policeman did not seem capable of committing such a crime, however, he may have been suffering from psychological problems. They also stated that during the last ten days, the house shutters were closed.


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Main Opposition Criticizes Tsipras for Saying a Grexit Would Destroy the Eurozone

Greek main opposition New Democracy attacked Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday for saying that a potential Grexit would destroy the Eurozone. “He has not realized that the only one who will be destroyed by a Grexit will be Greece,” party spokesman Costas Karagounis said, adding that Tsipras is swinging between “chatter and delirium.” He noted that the Prime Minister used to say before the elections that markets would dance to his tune, while now he is threatening Europe that a Grexit will destroy the Eurozone. (source: ana-mpa)


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'Paperology' continues, but mood darkens in Greece talks

Greece has submitted yet another last-minute economic reform proposal to its bailout creditors — and its creditors have once again dismissed it as ...


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Greece has put forward refreshed reform proposals, EU confirms

BRUSSELS — Greece has increased its targets for primary surplus in an updated proposal sent to its international creditors, three European officials ...


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Italian FinMin: We're not the next Greece

Padoan made his remarks after Greece handed its creditors new proposals on unlocking funds to keep the country from default, with Prime Minister ...


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Greece makes new proposals on budget, debt to clinch bailout deal, sees no immediate response

ATHENS, Greece — New Greek proposals aimed at ending a long standoff with international bailout creditors and unlocking vital rescue funds were ...


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German stocks, in correction mode, could bounce on Greece deal

Germany's DAX stock index finally succumbed to worries about Greece's debt woes, slipping into official correction mode. But one Wall Street firm says ...


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Greece warns EU leaders: Allow us to fail and it's 'beginning of the end' for eurozone

IN a stark warning to EU leaders, Greece has warned that if it's allowed to plunge into bankruptcy it would be the "beginning of the end" for the ...


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Turks Glorify Historic Slaughter and Rape of Christians

Source: www.humanevents.com - Tuesday, June 09, 2015Earlier this week a news report unwittingly demonstrated how Turkey—once deemed the most “secularized” Muslim nation—is returning to its Islamic heritage, complete with animosity for the infidel West and dreams of the glory days of jihadi conquests: A group of devout Muslims from across Turkey prayed before the city’s historic Hagia Sophia on the 562nd anniversary of the Turkish conquest of Istanbul [Constantinople], demanding that the site be turned back into a mosque. Men and women from across the country gathered before the Hagia Sophia museum early May 31, as part of an event organized by the Anatolian Youth Association (AGD) with the motto “Break the chains, Open Hagia Sophia,” and prayed the morning prayer with a call for the reconversion of the museum into a mosque. In fact, this is an annual ritual . Thousands of Turks surround Hagia Sophia every May and call for it to become a mosque—often to Islam’s war-cry, “Allahu Akbar!” This is not about a “minority of radicals.” In a survey conducted with 401 Turks, more than 97 percent wanted Hagia Sophia to be turned into a functioning mosque. Nor is this about Muslims needing a place to pray. As of 2010, there were 3,000 active mosques in Istanbul alone . Rather, this is about Muslims wanting to revel in the glory days of Islamic jihad and conquest. Unlike historically-challenged Westerners, Muslims fully understand the significance of Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia—Greek for “Holy All Related | More on Turkey


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'Paperology' continues, but mood darkens in Greece talks

Greece has submitted yet another last-minute economic reform proposal to its bailout creditors — and its creditors have once again dismissed it as ...


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Mood darkens in Greece bailout talks

Greeks ‘do not want a deal; they just want debt relief’


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Dijsselbloem: Deal with Greece not at hand yet, rejects debt write-off

While the Greek government awaits for a creditors’ response to the reforms proposals it submitted late Monday, head of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem spoke and said: Deal with Greece is not at hand yet. Speaking to Dutch RTL Nieuws, Jeroen Dijsselbloem said: 1. It is was not certain whether Greek […]


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Greek debt talks exclusive: “We've made the half distance.. it's the institutions' turn”

A greek government source involved at the heart of the negotiations said: “Greece has made tha half distance, now it's the institutions' turn to do the ...


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Sapin says can be no ultimatums in Greece talks

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said on Tuesday that it was "absolutely necessary" to reach a deal between Greece and its creditors but that neither side could be allowed to blackmail the other or set ultimatums. European Union officials earlier ...


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Faymann wants five-year plan for Greece

Greece needs to work on a five-year plan with its creditors and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in principle agrees on this, Austria's Chancellor Werner Faymann told reporters on Tuesday. The European Commission received new proposals from Greece on Tuesday ...


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Greece offers new proposals to creditors to unlock bailout funds

Instead of previously suggested primary surpluses of 0.5% in 2015 and 1.5% in 2016, the new plan, sent by the Greek negotiating team to the ...


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Pressure growing on Greek island of Lesvos, as 2015 refugee and migrant crossings of the ...

Around 600 refugees, mainly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, arrive every day in the Greek islands. Half of these are coming ashore in Lesvos.


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FTSE 100 hits three month low on Greek worries

Mining shares fall while Admiral slips after TV criticism of Confused.comLeading shares hit a near three month low, on continuing worries about Greece, rising bond yields and talk of a US rate rise.In a broad based sell-off the FTSE 100 fell 36.24 points to 6753.80, its lowest level since 13 March. European markets were also lower, with Germany’s Dax down 0.7% and France’s Cac falling 0.19%. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up around 25 points by the time London closed, as better than expected job openings figures added to Friday’s non-farm payroll numbers to ease concerns about weakness in the US economy. But gains were limited, since a strong economy inevitably suggests to investors a probable rise in interest rates this year.Each passing day sees equity markets suffer further losses, as investors struggle to find reasons to remain within the asset class. It looks as if the rout in developed equities is spreading to emerging markets, with concerns about slowing growth combining with a rising US dollar. And it wouldn’t be a complete day in global markets these days without some Greece news; officials at the European Commission have run their red pen over Athens’ latest homework and given it an F.Both sides have merely taken to reiterating their positions and then digging in further. The damage being wrought to the eurozone economy with all this uncertainty is exemplified by eurozone indices like Germany’s Dax, where we daily witness the erosion of gains engendered by Mario Draghi’s QE programme. Confidence is being sapped, imperilling the fragile recovery in the region. Poundland is due to release its 2015 preliminary results (March year-end) on Thursday 18 June. Noting recent UK consumer market data and the strength of sterling versus the euro, we have reappraised our financial forecasts for the group on a cautionary basis; note – we have already lowered our 2016 estimates for Poundland on 30th March 2015, reflecting slower fourth quarter trading and precautionary comments on the potential for sterling strength to negatively impact EBITDA by £4m.Since that time we have observed a number of factors which lead us to once again review our forecasts with a downward bent. These factors are: Continue reading...


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Greece Backsliding on Budget Plan as Creditor Frustration Mounts

Greek officials are targeting an encounter between their prime minister, Germany's Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande at a ...


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51.5% of Greeks Worry About Potential Grexit

As crisis-stricken Greece is struggling to break the deadlock in negotiations with its international creditors over a profitable bailout program, the sneaky war of uncertainty about the country’s future in the Eurozone holds good. A potential Greek withdrawal from the Eurozone causes fear in the majority (51.5%) of those surveyed in a new poll conducted by the University of Macedonia in northern Greece. The rate records an increase of about one unit compared to the previous measurement in May. Furthermore, 16% of Greeks hope for a Grexit, while 28% believe that this will not make any difference to their lives. As for the current voting intention, SYRIZA recorded a drop of two percentage points while New Democracy rose by 1% with the distance between them standing now at 18 points. The study also recorded the percentage of party unity as well as their losses. In addition, those surveyed expressed their opinion in what they believe will be the best progress for the center-left and center-right, with 55.5% preferring the creation of a new party that will replace New Democracy.


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Greece inches closer to a deal with fresh proposals

Greece could be edging closer to a deal with its creditors after submitting fresh proposals which are thought to include concessions on tougher ...


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Grexit: Will Greece Leave The Euro And What Will Happen If It Does?

And what happens if Greece stays in, what more misery follows for all? ... A triumphant Greece means they would certainly risk bringing down the euro ...


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Hedge funds increase bets on European M&A as Greek end-game nears

A conclusion to the long-running Greek debt crisis, whatever the outcome, would remove one of the big obstacles to deal-making in Europe and ...


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​London Jews, anti-fascists to counter anti-Semitic neo-Nazi march

Anti-fascist groups will gather in London’s Golders Green next month to counter a rally against the Jewish community by a far-right group modeled on Greece’s violent neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn.Read Full Article at RT.com


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Greece 'underestimates complexity' of reforms, Dijsselbloem says

Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem tapped down Greek optimism Tuesday over a newly-submitted reform plan, saying that Athens has "underestimated the complexity" of steps needed to rescue the cash-strapped country.


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As refugees flood Greek island, UN agency warns of strained resources

9 June 2015 – The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is reporting the arrival of record numbers of refugees on the Greek island of Lesvos, ...


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Greek Standoff Continues to Hurt EUR

As long as the Greek populace wants the euro there will be an eventual compromise, but until then, Grexit threats, rumors, and innuendo will provide ...


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Greek leader seeks party backing as EU warns on cash deal hopes

ATHENS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called on his fractious Syriza party to rally behind the government on Tuesday as time runs critically short to unlock funding from international lenders and avert a debt default.


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Pharmacies on 24h strike, opposing sale of non-prescription drugs at super-markets

Greece’s pharmacists will launch a 24-hour warning strike tomorrow Wednesday, June 10th 2015, in order to protest the government plans to allow sales of non-prescription medicine at the super-markets. Selling non-prescription medicines at the super-markets was one of the Troika measures adopted by the Greek government in 2012 in order […]


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Greek people must decide on reforms: Schaeuble

Germany's finance minister on Tuesday signaled a take-it-or-leave-it approach to cash-strapped Greece, saying it is up to the Greek people to pursue ...


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Varoufakis speech in Berlin – Full Transcript

This is the full transcript of Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis speech in Berlin on Monday. Varoufakis was speaking at Humboldt-Viadrina Governance and at Hans Buckler. Berlin – 8th June 2015 Thank you for inviting me. Thank you for ...


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Padoan says confident Greece deal will come soon

Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said on Tuesday he was confident a deal would soon be found to keep Greece in the eurozone and even if it did exit, the currency bloc was now much better placed to ...


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Euro to Look Past GDP Data, Focus on Greece-Linked News Flow

Greece-related news-flow remains in focus for the single currency, with traders keeping a close eye on commentary from both Athens and the creditor ...


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​Bilderberg goes IT: Shadowy club to talk AI, cyber-security

In between pontificating on the US election, Greece’s turmoil and the position of Russia, participants in the shadowy Bilderberg conference are going to discuss the development of artificial intelligence and risks of cyberspace.Read Full Article at RT.com


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Greece could reach debt deal in coming days

Agreement between Greece and its creditors on the country's debt crisis is possible in the coming days, but they must first bridge differences over a primary surplus target, European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said on Tuesday. "It would be very important really in coming days, if not (the coming) day, to agree first on primary surplus targets and then also on some specific measures how to reach the primary surplus targets," Dombrovskis, who takes responsibility for the euro, told a news conference at the European Parliament. "I would say that reaching the agreement within coming days is possible.


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Tsipras: We are at the most crucial stage of negotiations

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras told top Syriza officials that the government has now entered the most crucial stage of its negotiations with the creditors. Speaking at his Syriza’s Political Committee he urged the party to assume a key role ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT en.enikos.gr