by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, March 1 Xinhua) -- The Greek government further loosened as of Thursday capital controls, which was imposed in the country in the summer of 2015 in order to avert the collapse of the domestic banking system as the ailing economy was at the brink of financial meltdown.

All restrictions in opening new bank accounts are lifted, while the monthly withdrawal ceiling was raised to 2,300 euros (2,802 U.S. dollars) from 1,800 euros, according to an emailed announcement from the Finance Ministry.

In addition, the transfer of euros or other foreign currencies abroad is allowed up to 2,300 euros per person, from 2,000 euros currently, and the transfer of capital abroad by credit institutions and payment institutions is further facilitated.

Over the past two years the Greek government has taken similar such steps to ease the capital controls.

Athens aims to fully lift all remaining restrictions the soonest possible to safeguard financial and macro-economic stability in the country, according to the ministry. (1 euro= 1.22 US dollars)