“We are trying our hardest, with the Troika. There is convergence. We are being pressured over the budget, but they are wrong”, this statement was made today by Gikas Hardouvelis speaking to Parliament journalists. As the Finance Minister stated, there has been no official position by the Troika for extending the memorandum for a year, while he reiterated that the lenders do not give any numbers on the fiscal gap. When asked if we will manage to achieve a consensus with the lenders before December’s Eurogroup, he replied that it is a matter of political agreement: “We might negotiate for six months, but we may have a decision in a day”.

In yesterday’s teleconference with Troika leaders, which lasted for four hours, the negative clime of recent days was confirmed.

“They continue to insist on the alleged fiscal gap. This is now the biggest thorn. We are insistent on our opinions. We are correct, just like previous years, and we are presenting our budget”, stated a government agent who participated in the meeting with Mr. Hardouvelis.

The same source said that negotiations continue and the return of the troika has not been decided yet. The Troika seems to be thinking that the biggest gap in communication is the fiscal gap of 2015. As far as scenarios before the Eurogroup about an extension of the program, information indicates that no such thing was discussed in the teleconferenced, but that it is the government’s aim to conclude the assessment by the 8th of December.

Regarding other “Fronts” of the deal itself, a senior member stated that there were agreements on many things.

However, information from Washington stated that the IMF is even hostile against Greek positions, considering the Greek concessions non-satisfactory.