The last meeting among Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, Labor Minister Giorgos Katrougalos and the representatives of the institutions lasted less than hour.

According to a government official, the discussion focused on social security and consultation timetable.

The same source said that the lenders will leave Athens in the afternoon and are expected to return probably on April 4 when negotiation talks will start again.

However, yesterday Mr. Katrougalos told reporters that there are still disagreements on social contribution increase and replacement rates of pensions.

Moreover, the institutions are opposed to contributions decrease for self-employed and farmers that the government has proposed asking for more quantified data.

The government is facing great pressure to accept cuts in national pension rate from 384 euros to 320-340 euros and cuts in supplementary pensions up to 40%, with the IMF reportedly conceding a partial raise in pension contributions. The lenders doubt whether Greece will be able to save 200 million Euros from capping the higher and multiple pensions at lower levels.

On his part, Mr. Katrougalos denied the national pension would fall to 288 Euros.