diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 345fe23e3..37ebd3f9c 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,12 @@
+Noteworthy changes in version 2.3.0 (unreleased)
+------------------------------------------------
+
+
+ * Release dates of 2.2.x versions:
+   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+   Version 2.2.1 (unreleased)
+
+
 Noteworthy changes in version 2.2.0 (2017-08-28)
 ------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 6f945bd0e..ee3aac621 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ min_automake_version="1.14"
 # another commit and push so that the git magic is able to work.
 m4_define([mym4_package],[gnupg])
 m4_define([mym4_major], [2])
-m4_define([mym4_minor], [2])
+m4_define([mym4_minor], [3])
 m4_define([mym4_micro], [0])
 
 # To start a new development series, i.e a new major or minor number