Greek economy ‘back on its feet’, according to Eurogroup

President of the Eurogroup Mário Centeno voiced to the public that with the ending of the ESM three-year-long program for financial assistance, Greece was successfully stepping out of the series of financial aid initiatives, taken up as of 2010. According to the Eurogroup, the Greek economy is back on its feet and growing. Over the past years international creditors allocated funds to Greece with low interest rate under the condition of heavy reforms and a policy of strict economies. The external financial support for Greece turned out to be the longest ever within the Eurozone so far, coming up to more than EUR 240 bln.

Turkey, Qatar to trade in national currencies

The central banks of Turkey and Qatar have signed an agreement which is part of direct investments package of the emirate into Turkish economy to the tune of USD 15 bln. The document makes bilateral trade possible in national currencies and not in American dollars. The negotiated stuff envisages access of Ankara to USD 3 bln. in support of the Turkish economy.

Former rulers in Macedonia still have reserves about name referendum

Leader of the oppositional VMRO – DPMNE  Hristijan Mickoski  once again repeated that the party’s position in regard to the referendum would be voiced to the public after a general consultation with the citizens and talks inside the party. At the same time he expressed confidence that the campaign for the referendum would be sterile, defocusing and aimed at distraction of public opinion from the actual problems, born by the change of the name.

Romanian minister apologized to injured protesters in Bucharest

Romanian Interior Minister Carmen Dan apologized to the citizens, hurt during the anti-governmental protests on August 10. The biggest rally in Bucharest ended up in turmoil with 452 injured, 70 of them hospitalized – and that included 11 gendarmerie officers. People rallied against the tax system, the pension reform and the social assistance system.

Shots against US embassy in Ankara

Unknown people opened fire against the US embassy in Turkey’s capital city of Ankara. Preliminary data revealed that the passengers of a white car fired at the place. One of the bullets found the guard booth, but there were no victims or injured people. Authorities secured the area immediately and began the search for the attackers.

Compiled by: St. Pavlov

English version: Zhivko Stanchev