13:50

Over in Greece, the country has taken another step forward as it rebuilds its finances. Helena Smith reports:

Almost four years after they were first imposed, capital controls in Greece are finally on their way to being abolished. Greece’s central bank governor Yiannis Stournaras, held talks today with the heads of the country’s five major banks to discuss ending restrictions on business transactions abroad - the last capital control still in place.

The curb - brought into force at the height of the country’s debt crisis in the summer of 2015 as capital flight sparked fears of a run on banks - is now widely viewed as an impediment to commerce.

Banking sources told the Guardian that lifting the restriction would be a key signal of Greece’s return to economic normality. One source said:

It would be very important for the business community. It’s the last one [control] in place. Today’s talks will be followed by others before the government announces the decision.

In a year when it faces elections, Prime minister Alexis Tsipras’ leftist administration is expected to lift the measure imminently.