Elstat says Greece GDP declined in October to December
A new report says Greece's economy has contracted in the fourth quarter of 2016 as the debt-laden country faces stalemate in negotiations with its creditors.
According to the report by the national statistical service of Greece, Elstat, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) for October to December declined 0.4 percent compared with the previous quarter, although it grew 0.3 percent in comparison with the same quarter in 2015.
The figures followed two straight quarters of quarter-on-quarter growth after a period of recession.
The news comes amid fears of a new debt crisis that could again jeopardize Greece's place in the euro after months of failed talks between Athens and its eurozone and International Monetary Fund (IMF) creditors.
Top EU economic affairs official Pierre Moscovici is due in Athens for talks with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday in an effort to unblock bailout negotiations.
Brussels is penciling in Greek growth of 2.7 percent for 2017 and 3.1 percent for 2018. But Athens faces debt repayments of $7.44 billion this summer that it cannot afford without defusing the feud that is holding up new loans from Greece's 86 billion euro bailout.
The IMF, quietly backed by Germany, insists that more pension cuts and tax hikes are necessary to reach those targets.
Greece government is against more reforms, and the premier on Saturday warned creditors to "stop playing with fire" over his country's debt problems.
Talks in Brussels between Greece and its creditors on Friday ended with no breakthrough, although Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem said some progress had been made.
The next meeting of eurozone ministers, on February 20, is seen as an unofficial deadline to end the stalemate ahead of important elections in Europe.
Crude prices fall on possible ceasefire in Lebanon
Breaking up Google an option being considered by US, report shows
Boycott on Israel helped Arabs revive their economies: Analysis
VIDEO | Yemen’s armed forces target Israeli airbase amid nationwide pro-Palestinian rallies
Putin vows more test of new hypersonic missile
VIDEO | Jordanians continue rallies to denounce Israeli genocide in Gaza, Lebanon
6 Israeli soldiers commit suicide: Reports
Diplomat discourages recourse to pressure, intimidation, confrontation against Iran
UN: 2024 deadliest year for aid workers amid genocide in Gaza
Gaza health official warns of hospital shutdowns within 48 hours
Israel kills 5 more paramedics in southern Lebanon: Health ministry
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
