Finance minister says Greece ‘close’ to deal with bailout creditorsMarch 17, 2014 - 16:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Greece's finance minister said he is "close to" completing marathon negotiations with the debt-mired country's bailout creditors, the Associated Press reports. But Yannis Stournaras says he doesn't know whether an agreement, following six months of on-and-off talks, will emerge in a meeting Monday, March 17, a day before the debt inspectors were due to end their visit to Greece. Greece has survived on international bailouts since it nearly went bankrupt in mid-2010. Payments depend on its compliance with demanded spending cuts and tax increases and pushing on with wide-ranging reforms. The latest talks with representatives from Greece's European partners, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund have dragged since September. The main sticking points include public sector layoffs and pressing ahead with policies to make it easier to sack people in the private sector. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |