Euro zone finance ministers early Wednesday morning agreed in principle to disburse 10.3 billion euros. The September part of the tranche will be disbursed only if the Greek government has sorted out the establishment of an independent privatization fund controlled in part by the European Commission. Source: Greek Reporter
Bulgaria has decided to increase its border security measures in order to prevent illegal migration from Turkey, Bulgarian Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov said in an interview published on Thursday. Source: Daily Sabah
Austria is sending soldiers to stop migrants coming from Italy, while Bulgaria has said the EU should “defend” its borders by “force of arms”. Austria said it would deploy 70 soldiers, but no armoured vehicles, at the Brenner Pass to Italy on Thursday (17 August). Source: Euobserver
There are signs of UE recovery,with Eurostat reporting 2.2% euro-area growth over the second quarter of 2017, up from last year’s 0.6%. Central/Eastern Europe was growing fastest: Romania (5.7%), Latvia (4.8%), Czech Republic (4.5%) and Poland (4.4%). The weakest growth was in Belgium (1.4%), Italy (1.5%), Finland and UK (1,7). Source: Euobserver
