BRUSSELS (MNI) – The head inspectors from the European Commission,
the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank could
decide tonight when to resume their review of Greece’s compliance with
its bailout conditions, after Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos
updates them on Athens’ latest efforts, the European Commission said on
Monday.
On a conference call this evening Venizelos is expected to update
officials from the so-called Troika on “technical work done in the last
days,” said a spokesman for EU Financial and Monetary Affairs
Commissioner Olli Rehn.
“The idea is to wrap up all this information at the highest levels
and then decide on next steps, mainly the resumption of the review,” the
spokesman said.
Although no deadline for the completion of the review was ever
formally set, the European Commission hopes it will be concluded by the
end of the month, he said.
The review was suspended earlier this month after inspectors
abruptly left Athens following a dispute with Greek government officials
over details of the policy measures being planned.
EU and IMF officials have stepped up the pressure on Greece in
recent weeks by insisting, despite a worsening economic outlook, that
the authorities in Athens do more to achieve the fiscal and structural
reform targets tied to the country’s bailout programme.
Failure to address the government’s budget deficit and to kick
start the sale of state assets could result in Athens losing out on the
next tranche of aid, which the country needs to meet public sector
salaries and pension obligations.
–Brussels newsroom +32495228374 pkoh@marketnews.com
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