Athens (Greece)

Greece's unrelenting debt drama tops the agenda Monday when Eurozone finance ministers discuss whether Athens has met conditions set by its international creditors to provide nailout funds so it can stay afloat.

The Greek parliament on Sunday approved a slashed 2013 budget which the government has vowed will secure the release of foreign aid vital to save the debt-ridden country from insolvency.

Thousands of protesters massed outside Greece's parliament Sunday as lawmakers prepared to vote on a 2013 budget that includes draconian cuts but needs to pass for vital foreign aid to be released.

Greece's government faces another crucial test Sunday when lawmakers vote on the 2013 budget, the latest hurdle in its battle to win a new slice of international aid and head off possible bankruptcy in the debt-crippled country.

Greece's government faces another test on Sunday when lawmakers vote on the 2013 budget just days after narrowly passing a new austerity package to unlock more international aid and avoid default.

Debt-laden Greece should get more time and more aid if necessary to put its financial house in order and remain in the eurozone, a member of the European Central Bank said in an interview published on Saturday.

Several hundred Greek civil servants staged a protest in front of parliament in Athens on Saturday as lawmakers inside debated a draft 2013 budget ahead of a key vote.

Brussels has given a much needed boost to Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras as he seeks to reassure Greeks that a long-delayed installment of crucial international aid was well on its way.

European partners told debt-laden Greece on Thursday that more work was needed to secure a new slice of aid and avert bankruptcy even after lawmakers approved a deeply unpopular austerity package in the face of social unrest and protests.

Greece has made an important step in approving tough new austerity measures but must still pass the 2013 budget and key issues remain before it can secure the next debt aid payment, the European Commission said on Thursday.

Greek lawmakers on Wednesday approved huge cutbacks creditors had demanded to unlock aid needed to save the country from bankruptcy despite fierce political and popular opposition to more belt-tightening.

A huge protest outside the Greek parliament turned violent Wednesday ahead of a late-night vote on a deeply unpopular new austerity bill, as demonstrators hurled petrol bombs and police fired tear gas to disperse them.

European stock markets slid and the euro dropped against the dollar on Wednesday in the wake of US President Barack Obama's convincing re-election win that came ahead of a key vote on Greek austerity.

Greek lawmakers were locked in a fierce debate Wednesday ahead of a vote on a new austerity package needed to unlock international aid and stave off imminent bankruptcy in the face of fresh social unrest.

Ravaged by years of debt, austerity and violent protests against hardline economic policies, Greece will finally exit a seven-year recession in 2014, the EU said Wednesday.

European stock markets and the euro climbed on Wednesday as traders reacted to US President Barack Obama's convincing re-election and looked ahead to a key Greek vote on austerity.

Greek lawmakers vote Wednesday on a new austerity package needed to unlock international aid and stave off imminent bankruptcy, facing a social unrest and and public protests against billions more euros in tax hikes and pension cuts.

Greek lawmakers vote Wednesday on austerity measures needed to unlock international aid and stave off bankruptcy despite strikes and public anger against billions more euros in tax hikes and pension cuts.

Tens of thousands of Greeks poured into the streets on Tuesday as mass strikes paralysed Athens in the latest show of anger over a new austerity bil aimed at securing international aid needed to prevent the debt-crippled nation from defaulting.

Tens of thousands of Greeks poured into the streets on Tuesday as mass strikes paralysed Athens in the latest show of anger over a new government austerity bill aimed at securing international aid needed to prevent the debt-crippled nation from defaulting.