New €20 banknote starts circulating today

New €20 banknote starts circulating today

25/11/2015 ENstaff economy, EU, euro, European Union, Eurosystem, money

The new €20, the third in the Europa series, enters into circulation today. It includes a new kind of security feature: a “portrait window” near the top of the hologram stripe which becomes transparent when seen against the light. The window reveals a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology, which is visible on both sides of the note.

Eurogroup meeting_EU Newsroom_embassynews

econ/biz european union

Eurogroup welcomed Greece’s progress

23/11/2015 ENstaff bailout programme, crisis, economy, EU, Eurogroupe, European Union, Greece

The Eurogroup welcomed the completion by the Greek authorities of the first set of milestones and the financial sector measures that are essential for a successful recapitalisation process. This is an important step towards addressing the main challenges that the Greek economy is facing and towards restoring it to a sustainable path.

european union foreign affairs

European Commission issues statement on Greece

17/11/2015 ENstaff bailout agreement, crisis, economy, EU, Eurogroup, Eurogroup Working Group, European Commission, Greece, prior actions

Greek authorities and the institutions have reached substantive agreement on all outstanding issues regarding the measures included in the first set of milestones and on the financial sector measures that are essential for a successful recapitalisation process.

econ/biz

Fitch affirms Greece at ‘CCC’

16/11/201516/11/2015 ENstaff banks, budget, economy, Fitch, government, Greece, prior actions, ratings

According to a Fitch announcement, Greece’s financial assistance programme with the European Stability Mechanism of up to EUR86bn has reduced the risk of Greece defaulting on its private sector debt obligations and supports the rating at ‘CCC’.

econ/biz

OECD on the Greek economy

10/11/2015 ENstaff economy, forecasts, Greece, OECD

Greek economy slipped back into recession in the latter part of 2015 after growing in late 2014 and the first half of 2015. Growth is projected to gain some momentum in the second half of 2016 as confidence strengthens and as structural reforms finally take hold and boost exports and investment…

econ/biz european union

Greek recession to continue into 2016 – EU forecasts

06/11/2015 ENstaff crisis, economy, European Commission, Greece, recession

European Commission expects the recession that returned to Greece this year to continue into 2016 and is calling on the government to immediately draw up additional measures for 2017. In its fall forecasts yesterday, Brussels referred to Greece as follows…

european union foreign affairs

ECB’s Mario Draghi on economic developments

01/11/201502/11/2015 ENstaff debt, Draghi, ECB, economy, European Union, Greece, inflation, markets, QE, structural reforms

In an interview yesterday [Oct 31] with newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, ECB president Mario Draghi referred to key economic developments in Europe and internationally, whilst he did argued on Greece’s national debt. Key parts of the interview, based on a translation published on ECB website have as follows:

in brief

Deputy FM Mardas meets with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Tong

27/10/201527/10/2015 ENstaff business, economy, Foreign Ministry, US

Deputy Foreign Minister for International Economic Relations, Dimitris Mardas, met at the Foreign Ministry today with the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for economic and business affairs, Kurt Tong.

econ/biz

Regional airports’ tender procedure moves forward

14/10/201514/10/2015 ENstaff airports, economy, HRADF, privatisations, tender

Regarding the tender process for the regional airports, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund – HRADF announced that according to

econ/biz

Danish Jysk chain opens first store in Athens

27/09/201531/10/2015 ENstaff Athens, business, Denmark, economy, Greece, investment, Jysk

Danish chain Jysk Group is planning its debut on the Greek market to offer the local market its special brand

interviews people

Ambassador of Norway:”The challenge for the Greek economy is its competitive edge and its business climate” [interview]

07/06/2016 ENstaff

The Ambassador of Norway in Athens, His Excellency Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, spoke to EmbassyNews.net and commented on the current developments in Greek and European politics, the economy and the refugee crisis.