Greece and the EU

Latest business news about Greece and the European Union.

Merkel gives Greece EU stability pledge — 21 March 2010, 22:24 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Greece's Prime Minister Georges Papandreou on Sunday that the European Union would do "everything necessary" to preserve eurozone stability.

Greek drama reveals a more euro-cautious Germany — 21 March 2010, 13:56 CET

As Europe looks to Germany for answers on how to bail out debt-stricken Greece, Berlin has become ever more willing to defend its national interests rather than toe the European line, analysts said.

Europe waits on Germany as Greece deadline looms — 22 March 2010, 00:37 CET

European Union leaders gather this week for a summit officially called to decide on a long-term strategy for competing with rival, emerging economies. But the issue of what to do about Greece will be uppermost on their minds.

Merkel not opposed to bilateral aid for Greece — 21 March 2010, 13:53 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in comments broadcast Sunday, indicated she would not oppose bilateral aid to help Greece out of its debt crisis, though she did not think it was yet necessary.

EU ready to give 'urgent assistance' to Greece — 20 March 2010, 16:37 CET

The European Union is ready to provide urgent help to debt-ridden Greece, a report said on Saturday, putting new pressure on Germany which has been seen to drag its feet on the country's financial crisis.

Pressure mounts over IMF role in Greek crisis — 19 March 2010, 22:48 CET

Europe split over IMF intervention for debt-ridden Greece on Friday, upping pressure on national leaders to resolve crisis plans just days from a crunch EU summit.

Macedonian, Greek PMs to discuss name row in Brussels — 19 March 2010, 22:42 CET

The prime ministers of Macedonia and Greece were to meet in Brussels next week for talks aimed at resolving a 19-year row over the name of the former Yugoslav republic, a Macedonian statement said.

Barroso calls for swift EU agreement on aid for Greece — 19 March 2010, 22:52 CET

EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday urged member states to approve "as soon as possible" the creation of a financial aid mechanism for Greece to use if necessary.

Pressure mounts over IMF role in Greek crisis — 19 March 2010, 18:42 CET

Europe split over IMF intervention for debt-ridden Greece on Friday, upping pressure on national leaders to resolve crisis plans just days from a crunch summit.

Finland says IMF help for Greece 'should be considered' — 19 March 2010, 14:59 CET

Finland is open to International Monetary Fund (IMF) help for Greece, a finance ministry source said Friday, as the prospect of the debt-stricken country appealing to the IMF gathered momentum in Europe.

Germany says IMF aid an option for Greece — 19 March 2010, 15:58 CET

Germany is open to International Monetary Fund aid for Greece, Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said on Friday, describing the creation of a European version of the fund as a longer term objective.

Greece says Turkish F-16s harass EU immigration patrols — 19 March 2010, 14:01 CET

Greece on Friday accused Turkey of interfering with European Union immigration patrols by sending fighter jets to intercept aircraft monitoring the bloc's southeastern sea borders.

Greece should consider insolvency if cannot pay debt: German central banker — 19 March 2010, 14:01 CET

Greece should be prepared to declare itself insolvent if it cannot repay its debts, a director of the German central bank said in remarks published Friday, signalling a hard line against help for heavily indebted EU countries.

Europe turns towards IMF fix for Greece — 19 March 2010, 16:02 CET

The euro fell sharply Friday as the European Commission pressed EU member states to approve financial aid pledges for debt-laden Greece amid a shift toward IMF intervention in the crisis.

Dutch government backs IMF option for Greece — 19 March 2010, 11:24 CET

The Dutch finance minister has supported the idea of Greece getting financial help from the International Monetary Fund but said it would probably not be enough.

Greece urges EU aid, but Germany 'open' to IMF appeal — 19 March 2010, 00:49 CET

Greece warned on Thursday it could call on the IMF for help unless European leaders offered financial aid next week, with Germany now appearing "open" to the idea as the Greek debt crisis hit the euro.

IMF expects EU to resolve Greece debt crisis — 18 March 2010, 17:10 CET

The IMF still expects the EU to resolve the Greece debt crisis even though the country is considering resorting to the Fund for a bailout, an IMF spokeswoman said on Thursday.

Germany 'open' to IMF help on Greece — 18 March 2010, 17:09 CET

Germany would be amenable to an intervention by the International Monetary Fund to bail out debt-stricken Greece, government sources said on Thursday, insisting that Athens has not yet asked for aid.

'Natural' for Greece to keep IMF option open: EU official — 18 March 2010, 16:21 CET

The European Commission said Thursday it was "natural, logical and prudent" for Greece to keep all options open as Athens considers the possibility of going to the IMF.

Greek PM warns could resort to IMF, rejects eurozone ban — 18 March 2010, 15:21 CET

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou warned on Thursday that Greece might have to resort to IMF aid and rejected a German call to expel eurozone nations in serious breach of fiscal rules.

Euro drops as Greece ups stakes in EU debt row — 18 March 2010, 15:34 CET

Greece warned Europe on Thursday it may go to the IMF unless it gets concrete aid pledges from European leaders next week in a new confrontation over its debt crisis that is hitting the euro.

Greek premier refuses to rule out IMF appeal — 17 March 2010, 20:22 CET

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Wednesday refused to rule out an appeal for aid to the IMF, if European backing is insufficient to resolve its debt crisis.

ECB chief rejects idea of expelling eurozone sinners — 17 March 2010, 22:58 CET

European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet said it would be "absurd" to think that a eurozone nation could leave the bloc if it shirks its obligations, an idea Germany floated on Wednesday.

Euro fund talk a 'distraction' from Greece: IMF chief — 17 March 2010, 17:38 CET

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, said Wednesday that talk of a European equivalent for future crisis prevention was a "distraction" from urgent problems in Greece.

Greece warns it might revive IMF rescue option — 17 March 2010, 15:44 CET

Greece warned on Wednesday it might have to seek help from the International Monetary Fund if the European Union does not do more to help it out of a debt crisis.