Troika examines key issues with government officials

The Troika were disappointed with articles suggesting that the IMF will leave Greece while the government hopes they will ditch calls for mass dismissals in the private sector

Troika representatives from the European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday expressed their dissatisfaction about news items in the Greek press suggesting that Greece is on the verge of exiting the IMF’s surveillance. Meetings underway, however, are focused on the situation of Greece’s debt repayments following the termination of the European program on December 2014 while government sources state that the talks are continuing smoothly.

Government sources state that international creditors are listening to Greek arguments and appear swayed on a number of topics.”Negotiations are continuing. They are going very well,” said Greek Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis. “The briefing will continue as time goes by.” Mr. Vroutsis is expected to present studies aiming to prevent mass dismissals in the private sector from being imposed.

Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with the troika on Wednesday afternoon at the Ministry of Finance. During this meeting, Mr. Mitsotakis highlighted the ministry’s initiatives for the dismissal of 15,000 public sector employees as well as progress on other reforms. A new payroll was also discussed for the public sector.

Prior to this, a meeting between Development Minister Nikos Dendias and the troika focused on an agreement for the repayment of corporate debts to banks and the state in over 100 installments.

Many issues are to be discussed at Thursday’s meeting between the Troika and Labour, Social Security and Welfare Minister Yiannis Vroutsis with the key goal aimed at preventing the imposition of mass dismissals in the private sector. Mr. Vroutsis is expected to present research and arguments concerning this area during the meeting with troika.