09/12/2016 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 9 December, a spokesperson for the European Commission stated that Greek authorities have not informed it of the new social measures unveiled the day before. However, the Commission said that it was prepared to examine these measures, but reiterated that the Greek bailout plan made provision for the event of new measures announced by Greece and how to deal with budgetary surpluses better than anticipated. In response to a general strike, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, announced an envelope of aid of €617 million to restore the payment of a 13th monthly payment for the lowest pensions and to support the islands of the Aegean Sea dealing with the migration crisis. Athens and its creditors are currently trying to finalise the second monitoring mission of the third Greek bailout plan (see EUROPE 11682). (MB)