“Substantial convergence” in bailout review talks

A race against time

Another day of intense negotiations on the implementation of Greece’s third bailout program  were completed today between high-ranking government officials and the foreign envoys representing the country’s creditors with “substantial convergence,” finance ministry sources said Monday.

Finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos, economy minister Dimitris Papadimitriou and energy minister Giorgos Stathakis participated in Monday’s talks, which addressed the issues of banking, fiscal policies and justice.

As the finance ministry prepares to submit next year’s budget to parliament, it is anticipated that agreements between the government and Greece’s creditors will be reached over the course of the next few days.

The government is anxious to conclude its bailout review in time for concrete assurances from its creditors on debt relief by the year’s end.

Source: eKathimerini