ATHENS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Greece reopened on Wednesday its 10-year bond originally issued in January and drew another 2.5 billion euros (3.05 billion U.S. dollars) at a rate of just above 0.9 percent, according to Finance Minister Christos Staikouras.
"Today's issue confirms that the country has earned the confidence of the international investment community and is gradually returning to normality," the minister added in a statement televised live.
This benchmark issue has now been expanded to 6 billion euros, after the 3.5 billion drawn in January.
"The spread between the Greek and the German 10-year bond [yields] was the smallest recorded in recent years; it has returned to the 2008 level," Staikouras noted, adding that "since 2019 this spread has been constantly decreasing."
The issue, which matures on June 18, 2031, attracted bids that exceeded 29 billion euros, according to a bourse filing.
"Demand was particularly high and its quality was exceptional," commented Staikouras.
In total, Greece has drawn 14.5 billion euros from the bond markets since the start of the year.
"The country has amid the global health crisis made the most of the favorable environment created both by the European decisions, in which we actively participate, and mainly by the strengthening of the credibility and the prospects of the economy, thanks to the sensible fiscal policy, the promotion of reforms and the attraction of investments," said the minister. (1 euro = 1.22 U.S. dollars) Enditem