Keep Talking Greece

Greek FinMin Stournaras Sees “Light at the End of the Tunnel”

August 3, 2012 14

Hardly a month at the office of Finance Minister of debt-ridden Greece and Yiannis Stournaras sees a light at the end of the crisis tunnel. You know this tunnel the Greek economy entered some years ago. “Despite the problems the Greek economy shows signs of improvement. There are signs of …

BoG Governor: “Senior ATEBank Official Transferred Money Abroad”; Rumors Speak of €8-10 Million

August 3, 2012 2

Members of the Greek Parliament were stunned to hear the governor of the Bank of Greece, Giorgos Provopoulos, saying that “a very senior member of the Agricultural Bank transferred money abroad and that there is an investigation going on on the issue. Some 8 to 10 million euro The transfer took place …

Greek PPC (DEH) Bills Get More “Juicy” as RES Charges Go Up by 47 Percent

August 3, 2012 3

Don’t be surprised if you see your electricity bills gone up again. It’s not only because the emergency property tax 2012 will be tagged in the August bills sent but Greek Public Power Company (DEH). It is because Energy Regulatory Authority has decided to increase the fees for Renewable Energy by 47 percent. Greece’s …

Greek Olympic Committee Wants €150 Back from Athletes Leaving London Earlier than Scheduled

August 3, 2012 1

Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) wants money back from athletes leaving the Olympic Village earlier than scheduled, that is if they failed to qualify in the sports they’re competing. Athletes will have to pay back €150 out of €300 – flat rate “pocket money’ -the Committee had handed out in advance depending on the days …

Open Letter to Mario Draghi (ECB): Difficult to Save the Euro, When…

August 2, 2012 Comments Off on Open Letter to Mario Draghi (ECB): Difficult to Save the Euro, When…

Head of European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, is expected to announce some measures to save the euro. While the markets anticipate to hear the news, normal citizens and taxpayers of the European Union and the euro zone try to figure out what’s the importance of Draghi’s intervention and how these will affect …

Troika Doubts Greek FinMin Forecasts on Revenues Targets From Combating Tax Evasion

August 2, 2012 7

Greece’s lenders, the Troika, apparently cast doubts on revenue targets The Greek government forecasts to collect from fighting tax evasion. The case refers to Greek government forecasts about revenues from combating tax evasion and for the years 2013-2016. Greek Finance Ministry predicted to collect 3.8 billion euro. The Troika, however, “sees” only 1.9 …

Morgan Stanley Faces Charges Over Greek NBG-AlphaBank Merger Talks

August 2, 2012 2

Greek court officials A Greek prosecutor brought charges against Morgan Stanley for alleged inside trading in connection with the planned deal between National Bank of Greece and Alpha Bank in January 2011, a merger plan that failed at the end. According to Greek and international media, charges were brought after investigation …

Greek Government Collapsed Averted, Partners Agreed on €11.5 Billion Cuts

August 1, 2012 3

The three partners of the Greek coalition government partners finally agreed upon the 11-billion euro austerity package, even though Venizelos (PASOK) and Kouvelis( Democratic Left) had their reservations. “I disagree but I am forced to accept. We will not take the country to elections,” Venizleos said after the meeting with …

It wasn’t Vladimir Putin on Greek Vacation But Bankier Andrey Kostin

August 1, 2012 4

…Oops! It wasn’t President Vladimir Putin but Andey Kostin, powerful Russian bankier on visit to West Ploponnese, Katakolon and the Ancient Olympia. That’s what local news portal Patris News reported later in the evening. Not problem at all. The news portal writes anyway that Kostin and his companions are on …

EOPYY Phone-Number for Doctors’ Appointment To Change as of August 6/2012

August 1, 2012 Comments Off on EOPYY Phone-Number for Doctors’ Appointment To Change as of August 6/2012

The telephone number of National Organisation for Health Care Services (EOPYY) is due to change as of August 6, 2012. Instead of <184> insurers will have to call <14884> or <14900>. At the same time the phone call fees will be raised from 0,03€ per call now to 1,08 euro for …

Crete: Jobless Father of 7 Arrested for State Debt of Swirling 5,000 Euro

August 1, 2012 10

It’s always the easy and vulnerable target that pays the price. It’s always the weak and defenseless who gets to feel the rigid face of the law. Whether it’s called “austerity”, “state revenues”, “fill the state pockets”, “pay back lenders” or generalized “structural reforms”. In Iraklio, Crete, the easy target was a father …

Greek Public & Private Sector: Corruption, Tax Evasion and Impunity Still Alive and Kicking

August 1, 2012 9

Health sector and tax authorities are the masters in corruption according to a report issued by Leandros Rakitzis, Greece’s public administration inspector, the country’s watchdog on corruption in the public services. No, the crisis did not lowered corruption, just the price of it. “While the crisis has not reduced the corruption itself, …