Crucial meeting between German Chancellor, Greek PM concludes

Friday’s Eurogroup may well be judged by this meeting

A closely watched meeting in Berlin between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Greek PM Alexis Tsipras was followed on Monday afternoon with a nationally televised (in Greece, at least) with a press conference.

 

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On the negotiations front, it appears almost impossible that the Eurogroup will approve of the Greek government’s list of reforms if today’s meeting between Merkel and Tsipras doesn’t result in paths leading to compromises between eurozone lenders and Greece. Amongst the issues to be raised on Monday are specific, cost-estimated proposals reforms with a specific timeline.

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Even though Tsipras acknowledged the important roles played by Merkel and Francois Hollande in European politics, the meeting in Berlin will not be easy, especially since reports have German FinMin Wolfgang Schaeuble insisting on the evaluation of Greece without any political terms.

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The critical point will be on what Tsipras proposes for privatizations in Greece, which might interest Germany.

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