EC: Moscovici visit to Athens unrelated to Troika return

Speaking to reporters in Brussels

European Commission spokesperson Annika Breidthardt said the Commission was continuing to work in the direction of a speedy completion of the second review for the Greek bailout program. During a press briefing in Brussels on Tuesday, the spokesperson clarified that the upcoming visit of European Finance, Economy and Taxation Commissioner Pierre Moscovici to Athens was in no way related with the return of the country’s creditors to resume talks. She stressed that Mr. Moscovici’s schedule in Greece would include meetings with Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, New Democracy president Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mrs. Breidthardt highlighted the need to build on the progress already achieved, adding that cooperation with the Greek authorities was ongoing and that there was no definitive deadline for the return of the institutions to Athens. According to EC sources, EuroGroup President Jeroen Dissjelbloem is in constant communication with all sides in an effort to reach a solution before the upcoming EuroGroup.