A return of troika representatives to Athens before the 9th December Eurogroup is not foreseen was the statement made by Simon O'Connor, spokesperson for Olli Rehn, European Commissioner responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Greece's weather service warned that conditions would deteriorate from Tuesday, with temperatures dropping significantly in most parts of the country, following a series of serious flash floods over the last two weeks.

Greece has by far the greatest problems, but has, during the last year and a half, responded to its obligations better than expected to the second support program, is the message conveyed by German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble in an article penned for daily Süddeutsche Zeitung.