国际英语新闻：Greek finance minister expresses confidence in banking sector

After a cabinet meeting held earlier on Friday afternoon, Papaconstantinou announced that next week the Greek government will appoint two or three advisors to suggest the next moves Greek state should make in the banking sector and a better management of its vast real estate property.

Greek media stressed that this decision paves the way for mergers and privatizations of Greek banks.

Athens also has the option to financially assist ATEbank from a 10 billion euros (12.8 billion U.S. dollars) Financial Support Fund created last month in the framework of the 110 billion euros (140.9 billion U.S. dollars) safety net which was activated by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund for debt-ridden Greece.

Representatives of the rest of the six Greek banks which passed the EU stress tests voiced satisfaction on the results and more optimism for the future of the banking sector in Greece.