"Your visit to Greece, following the visit of President Hollande at the end of last year, confirms the very close working relationship and mutual understanding between our countries," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Friday said welcoming his French counterpart Manuel Valls at the Maximos Mansion.

2016 will be a good year for Greek tourism, but, despite efforts already made, it is essential for all to assist in order for Greece to maintain its competitiveness, according to a study of Eurobank.

Over-taxation, the elusive sharing economy, non-performing loans, and lacking incentives are the main areas that must be addressed and reformed if the Greek government wants tourism to continue to be a driving force of the economy, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) President Andreas Andreadis said on Thursday, during the 1st Greek Tourism Conference held in Athens.

The governing body of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod, signalled on June 1 its withdrawal from the Pan-Orthodox Council to be held in Crete from June 16 to 26.