The Grееk Mіnіѕtеr іn сhаrgе оf іmmіgrаtіоn policy, during a visit tо Washington, rеgrеttеd whаt hе саllеd the “blасkmаіl” practiced by Turkеу tо gеt mоrе hеlр from the Eurореаn Unіоn. Giorgos Kоumоutѕаkоѕ еxрrеѕѕеd соnсеrn over rесеnt thrеаtѕ by Turkіѕh Prеѕіdеnt Rесер Tayyip Erdogan to “open the dооrѕ” оf Eurоре tо іmmіgrаntѕ.
Category: Greece

EU Sends Top Officials to Save Refugee Pact in Turkey
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer met with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara Friday in attempt to sign a new agreement between Turkey and the European Union. Seehofer praised Turkey’s efforts in refugee matters, and said that Turkey could get more funding support from the EU. He said it was difficult to control immigration to Europe without Turkey’s support, and Germany was ready to help Turkey.

Violence and Riots Follow Deadly Fires in Greek Refugee Camp
At least two migrants died after a fire broke out in a crowded refugee camp in Moria, on the Greek island of Lesbos. Two fires in Moria refugee camp, and another nearby camp on Lesbos, killed a mother and her child on Sunday night. The crowded reception center witnessed unexpected riots yesterday.

Greece Refuses to Assist Iranian Oil Tanker
The Greek government has said it will not provide any facilities to the Adrian Darya (formerly Grace 1) oil tanker. “We have sent a very clear message, saying that we do not wish to provide any facilities for the smuggling of oil to Syria,” the Greek deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday, August 21.

Washington Warns Greece: Aid to Iranian Oil Tanker ‘Will Have Consequences’
The United States has warned the Greek government and Mediterranean ports authorities against cooperating with the Iranian oil tanker which was released Sunday from Gibraltar after more than a month in detention. “It is unfortunate that this has happened,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

Greek Island of Euboea Ravaged by Fire – “Huge Ecological Disaster”
A wildfire ravaged the island of Euboea in Greece, on Wednesday, for more than 30 hours. It’s one of the biggest disasters in the history of the country, and the country’s authorities have since described it as a “huge ecological disaster.” The Greek firefighters put in a lot of efforts to contain the massive fire that ravaged one of the best-preserved wildlife sanctuaries on the island.

Med Hurricane “Medicane” in Greece Leaves Dozens with Injuries
Six tourists died and more than 30 were injured during a small hurricane, which unexpectedly struck late on Wednesday at Halkidiki resorts in northern Greece, near Thessaloniki. Powerful wind gusts, rain, and storm tore the roofs off buildings, overturned cars and caused flooding in hotels. Authorities declared an emergency with more than 100 rescue workers at the disaster’s site.

Greece Elections Next Week: The Center Strikes Back, and the Kids Are All Right
The conventional wisdom in politics suggests that radicals and revolutionaries can’t govern. That may explain, better than anything, why the left-wing government of Alexis Tsipras is headed for the exits next week. After four years in power, Sunday is the end of the line for Tsipras, and his Syriza party, as voters in the birthplace of democracy head to the polls. Fed up with populism, polling suggests Greeks will return their country to the center.

Value of Negative Yielding Debt Hits Record $12.5 Trillion – Indicating European Troubles
A negative interest rate definition: The issuer (for example a bank) will charge negative interest. Instead of receiving interest on the deposit funds, depositors must pay regularly, or have negative interest rates deducted, to keep their money with the bank. This is intended to incentivize banks to lend money more freely and businesses and individuals to invest, lend, and spend money rather than pay a fee to keep it safe.