Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis departed for Washington D.C. on Sunday morning to meet in the evening with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Christine Lagarde for unofficial talks over the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government’s reforms plan.
The meeting was requested by Varoufakis, who personally contacted Lagarde to set up the talks. The fact that Lagarde agreed to meet Varoufakis on Catholic Easter Sunday may be indicative of the importance of the meeting. Their talks are to be held at 6 p.m. EST time (23.00 GMT).
Easter in predominately Orthodox Greece is next Sunday, April 12.
Greece’s deal with the IMF runs to the first quarter of 2016, hence Varoufakis and Lagarde will focus on how to overcome “thorny issues” so that the leftist government can get on with reforms as soon as possible. Another scenario could be that Varoufakis may ask for a delay for the 450-mln-euro payment that Greece needs to pay to the IMF on April 9.
Government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis, speaking on Sunday morning to private MEGA TV, said the meeting is not aimed at “eliminating” negotiation obstacles. “He is going for a discussion. It is true that the IMF has its position on matters,” he said, adding that the … urgent visit is within the framework of talks currently taking place with Greece’s international creditors.
“Varoufakis is obliged to meet with the IMF chief to discuss the reforms program. It is not a matter of negotiating. The Greek side is obliged to present its positions on all matters currently open,” said Sakellaridis.
While in Washington, Varoufakis will also meet with US Dept. of Treasury Undersecretary Nathan Sheets at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 6. He will also meet with presidential deputy assistant Caroline Atkinson.
‘There’s money’! … to pay off IMF
On Saturday, Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas told the same private TV station that “the payment to the International Monetary Fund will take place on April 9.” He gave reassurances that there was enough money in state coffers to make the payment.
Following the IMF payment by Greece there will still be problems ahead. “Money exists for the payment of salaries, pensions and whatever else is needed next week. This does not mean that there would be no money the week after,” he said.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions
