The Euroworking Group meeting on Thursday did not have positive results. Now, the government is seeking ways to finalize pressing issues such as foreclosures, 23% VAT hikes to private education and others so that the way is paved for Greece to receive a 2-bln-euro tranche benchmarked for the country at the Eurogroup meeting on November 9.

Differences aside, the climate of negotiations between the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government and Greece’s creditors (European Commission, European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund, European Stability Mechanism) remain cordial with European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici praising  Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ transformation. Even Euroworking Group President Thomas Weiser refered to Tsipras 1 and Tsipras 2 in regards to negotiations.

Time is running out, however, and solutions are necessary before funds can be given to Greece. Only through positive reviews can the recapitalization of Greek banks begin so that deposits in Greek banks remain safe from a bail-in procedure. The deadline date for all issues to be tied up, including those pertaining to social security, is November 15.

Thorns currently plaguing the government are:

* 23% VAT hike for private schools or other equivalent measures

* A solution for non-performing (so-called “red”) loans at Greek banks