Monday marks the start of negotiations between the Greek government and “quartet” of lenders from the European Commission, European Central Bank, European Stability Mechanism and International Monetary Fund. The government proposal for social reform and the state appointments of administrative officials in independent authorities of Greece are the two problems focused upon during the meetings.

Concerning the latter, there are objections to changes of staff in the competitiveness committee, capital share markets, radio and television authorities etc. They feel that the recruitment of SYRIZA party relatives in key positions are in violation of the July 2015 bailout agreement that gives age limits for posts as well as setting the degree of relations between committee members.

The meetings to take place within the framework of the first program review will begin at 5 p.m. on Monday, with Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos heading the Greek side. The other delegations will be headed by EC Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs Declan Costello, ECB representative Rasmus Rueffer, ESM Strategy and Institutional Relations Chief Nicolas Giammarioli and Delia Velculescu on the side of the IMF.

Sources state that technical teams have noted progress in talks on a number of issues, as well as lack of convergence on basic matters. Hence, the talks in Athens begin with hope as well as doubt.