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 | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |