A Greek delegation is in Paris for a two-day meeting that hopes to break the deadlock in negotiations between the Greek government and the troika of representatives from the European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). The talks, taking place at the ground floor of Villa Said, are aimed at securing troika’s return to Athens in order to wrap up the review prior to the EU leaders summit on December 18.

The Greek delegation believes that the European Central Bank (ECB) will play a key role in the talks as it is a link between the technocrats of the IMF and the political leadership of European states.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis met for over six hours on Monday night to decide where the government could give in and which measures are non-negotiable.

Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras is accompanying Mr. Hardouvelis to Paris where he will remain for the first day of talk before returning to Athens for parliamentary discussions on the budget. Deputy Finance Minister George Mavroyanis and PASOK deputy Christos Protopappas will also go to Paris.