The first forum for the cooperation of Balkans and Black Sea countries will be hosted in the northeastern Greek city of Serres on May 25-26. The city hopes the forum will mark the start of an institution that will serve as a tool for the efforts of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) organisation to promote economic cooperation.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed in a telephone contact that a solution to the Greek debt issue is necessary and feasible at the next Eurogroup meeting on May 22.

The draft law on the ratification of the agreement will be tabled in parliament plenary on Wednesday and the discussion is expected to be concluded late on Thursday with the speeches of the political leaders and the voting procedure.