While talks between the Greek delegation and its creditors continue in Athens, the Greek government is reportedly close to agreeing on a series of tough measures with its lenders (EU institutions and IMF) in its efforts to get the ‘green light’ for a positive assessment in the progress of its reforms agreed upon in the 2015 bailout plan. The new harsh measures reportedly agreed on will affect individuals earning over 800 Euros per month to the effect of losing between 200 and 3,500 Euros per annum. Other areas impacted negatively are income taxes, pensions and ‘red’ loans. Sources say that although Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos is careful not to reveal his proposals, those do include measures that would satisfy the creditor’s demands for the state to reel in 1 percent of the GDP. This package will include hikes in indirect and special taxes, as well as cuts in public spending like the Defence funds. Tsakalotos expressed optimism that a deal could be reached before the representatives of the creditors left the country. There does seem to be a gap between the two sides on the ‘red’ loans. According to sources this thorny matter could take lonfer to reach an agreement on.