Reuters - International inspectors on Thursday applauded Greece%27s efforts to exit its debt crisis, endorsing a fresh 9 billion euro payment from an EU/IMF bailout scheme, but urged reforms in energy, banking and the public sector.

AP - European stock markets rose Thursday as investors found cheer in a positive assessment of Greece%27s austerity program ahead of the latest policy comments from European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet.

AP - Greece has made "remarkable" progress implementing an austerity program to tackle its debt crisis and is expected to receive the second installment of rescue loans next month, the IMF and EU said Thursday. They warned, however, that the country still faces significant challenges.

AFP - EU and IMF officials were reporting on Thursday the results of a two-week audit into Greek finances which will determine whether the debt-hit nation can unlock fresh funds from a massive bailout loan.

AFP - Greece still faces "key challenges" in fighting its public finance crisis, despite making "considerable progress" across a wide front, EU and IMF auditors said here on Thursday.