Greece closes down consulates due to economic crisis

Greece announced Thursday the closure of almost a dozen consulates in Europe and South Africa due to the economic crisis that has hit the country hard this year.

To reduce expenses and readjust services, the Greek government has decided to suspend the operation of consulates general in Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Naples and consulates in Nice and Durban, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Gregory Delavekouras

Meanwhile, consulates general in London, Paris and Brussels will be closed and consular offices moved to Greek embassies in the same cities.

The decision was taken as part of government efforts to slash the state budget deficit, currently reaching 13.6 percent of the GDP, to less than three percent by 2014 and restore the national economy.

Source: Xinhua