Alternate Minister for Revenue Dimitris Mardas expressed his optimism that talks between Greece and the Quartet will have wrapped up until August 20, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with business groups Friday. Mardas added that he was unaware when the capital controls would be lifted, while he also said that the negotiations were moving forward at an intensive pace. Some of the issues discussed during the meeting between the Minister and representatives of businesses at the Chamber of Commerce in Thessaloniki were the problems faced by businesses due to the capital controls and the difficulties they encounter in international transactions. The representatives requested an easing of the strict capital controls. Mardas said he was unable to pin point the exact time the controls would be relaxed. “We cannot determine the when. We are interested in facilitating more and more people, in order for them to have access to to increasing bank services”, said Marias.