THE EUROPEAN Commission and Turkey reach agreement on the return of illegal migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey. Under the compromise, the return policy will initially apply to Turkish immigrants only.
THE EUROPEAN Commission and International Monetary Fund hastily issue a statement expressing “the deepest respect” for the “tremendous” fiscal overhaul Greece has undertaken in a bid to placate Greek public opinion, angered by EU-IMF officials’ suggestion that Greece sell off its territory and other assets to reduce its debt. After the furor dies down, however, the IMF reiterates the need for major reforms.
CYPRUS PRESIDENT Dimitris Christofias says talks with the breakaway Turkish Cypriots “are not moving forward” but vows to persevere with fresh proposals.
THE GREEK-RUN cargo ship Perseas is seized by pirates off the coast of Nigeria for ransom. The Ukrainian captain and Greek first engineer are released shortly afterwards.
GREECE and FYROM prepare to argue their case before the International Court of Justice at the Hague. The two sides are due to meet at hearings starting March 21 over FYROM’s dispute of the validity of Greek objections to Skopje’s application to join Nato.