Preliminary deal struck on Greece bailoutMay 2, 2017 - 17:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Greece has reached a preliminary agreement with its international creditors on reforms needed to release the next instalment of its multi-billion-dollar bailout, BBC News reports. Greece has promised to further cut pensions, by 0.9% on average, and lower the tax threshold to produce savings worth 2% of gross domestic product. The measures will have to be approved by the Greek parliament. Creditors have agreed to hold talks on how to make Greece's debts sustainable. Greece has been pushing for measures on debt relief. The German finance ministry called the deal an important intermediate step. Greece has to repay $7.5bn (6.9bn euros) to its eurozone lenders and the International Monetary Fund in July. The next step is a meeting on 22 May of eurozone finance ministers, who are required to sign off on the deal. Earlier this month, the Greek government agreed to take on another $3.8bn in cuts in 2019 and 2020. 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. |