Drones Strike Greek Oil Tankers in the Black Sea
Two Greek-managed oil tankers were struck by drones on Tuesday near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in the Black Sea, which handles roughly 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports
Greece's government "made people [in the country] imagine wrong things after last Friday's discussions," EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said.
In a press conference aired live, he has insisted Greeks deserve to know the truth about the bailout proposals put forward by lenders last week.
Juncker has acknowledged he was not informed of Tsipras' decision to hold a bailout referendum and was "disappointed" to learn about the step.
However, Juncker has also asked the Greek people "to vote "Yes", independently of the question they are asked to answer": "From the Greek vote there will be a positive signal for Greece and for other members of the Eurozone... then the message of the other members of the Eurozone will mean that Greece wants to stay with the other states of the Eurozone and in the European Union."
A no, on the other hand, would mean "no" to Europe, he has answered to a journalist's question.
"On our side the door is still open," he has underscored, just a day before a deadline on a payment to the IMF is looming for Greece and the country is facing default.
Juncker has made clear that the policies of Athens over the past few days are "not an attitude worthy of the Greek nation" and that they don't "help other citizens."
He has criticized Greek officials from ending negotiations "unexpectedly" on Friday night.
In his words, Greek citizens who are being told to vote next Sunday in a bailout referendum need a clear picture of what's at stake.
"[Greek people] have to know all the elements of the debate we had for such a long time."
He has called the reform proposals rejected by Alexis Tsipras' government "a demanding and comprehensive package but a fair one".
Juncker has stressed that, contrary to statements in the media, "no pension cuts [are] in this package," repeated several times, reiterating several times and later also stressing defense cuts are required instead.
The package also "creates more social fairness, more growth and a more transparent public administration," he has explained.
Less tax relief for ship owners and stepped-up efforts against corruption and the enforcement of an independent tax administration ("who could be against this?") are also part of the list of creditors' offers, Juncker has underlined.
Addressing some of Greece's long-standing problems, he has cited the example of high energy prices as an example of refusal to "tackle vested interests."
"I believe growth can restart soon... as soon there is a deal."
Three candidates have been nominated to represent Bulgaria as European Prosecutor: Dimitar Belichev, Mihaela Raydovska, and Plamen Petkov.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas made a lighthearted remark to European Parliament leaders, suggesting that the current state of global affairs might make it a “good moment” to start drinking
Military personnel from several European countries, including Germany, France, Sweden, and Norway, began arriving in Greenland this week, following an invitation from Denmark
The European Union has unveiled the details of a 90 billion euro financial package to support Ukraine, with the bulk of the funds earmarked for defense as the conflict with Russia nears its fifth year.
US President Donald Trump has again underlined that Greenland is of critical importance to American national security, insisting that Denmark cannot adequately guarantee the island’s safety and that Washington must play the decisive role.
France is set to open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, a move the French foreign minister described as a clear political message amid renewed international attention on the Danish autonomous territory and repeated remarks by US President Donald Tru
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