Greece returns to debt markets for first time in three years

Series Title
Series Details 24.07.17
Publication Date 24/07/2017
Content Type

Background and further information:

This was the first sale of government debt since 2014, when Greece made a brief return to the markets under the centre-right government led by Antonis Samaras.

This was seen essentially as a psychological exercise, given that the country did not need to draw money from the bond markets. The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) was scheduled to keep providing the country with low interest rate loans until the end of the third bailout programme, in July 2018. It was thus an opportunity for Greece to test its credibility on the markets without major risks.

The decision to come back to the markets was taken just after Greece secured the approval from the Eurogroup of a €8.5bn disbursement of the bailout, in time to meet major debt repayments.

Greece announced its return to international debt markets on 24 July 2014, after three years of financial isolation. The country's Debt Management Agency announced plans to sell bonds to be repaid in five years.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/greece-breaks-three-year-isolation-and-returns-to-debt-markets/
Related Links
EUObserver, 24.07.17: Greece looking at bond market return https://euobserver.com/economic/138587
The Guardian, 24.07.17: Greece plans return to bond market as Athens sees end in sight to austerity https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/24/greece-return-bond-market-austerity-eurozone
Kathimerini, 24.07.17: D-day for Greece's bond market return http://www.ekathimerini.com/220352/article/ekathimerini/business/d-day-for-greeces-bond-market-return
Deutsche Welle, 25.07.17: Greece attempts to return to bond markets http://p.dw.com/p/2h5Nx
Deutsche Welle, 24.07.17: A 'psychological milestone' for Greece http://p.dw.com/p/2h596
BBC News, 24.07.17: Greece makes first return to debt market in three years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40645195
Bloomberg, 24.07.17: Greece to Return to Bond Market After Three-Year Hiatus https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-24/greece-to-return-to-bond-market-after-three-year-hiatus
Reuters, 24.07.17: Greece announces new 5-year bond issue after 3-year market exile https://www.reuters.com/article/greece-bonds-tender-idUSL5N1KF38X
Kathimerini, 20.07.17: Any market foray should be first step to full return, gov't says http://www.ekathimerini.com/220239/article/ekathimerini/business/any-market-foray-should-be-first-step-to-full-return-govt-says
EurActiv, 25.07.17: Greece prepares for end of bailout era with comeback bond http://www.euractiv.com/section/economic-governance/news/greece-prepares-for-end-of-bailout-era-with-comeback-bond/

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