Minister of Labor George Katrougalos expressed his bewilderment as to a last minute change of the meeting’s agenda, on his way into the meeting with the representatives of the Troika, Thursday morning. When asked by reporters what the significance of this last minute addition of the social securtity matter was to the talks he responded: “I am about to find that out myself”. The fact that the institutions adde the matter on the agenda of talks without the knowledeg of the Minister could mean there are more substabnvive disagreements, and not simple disputes on minor issues concerning the progress of reforms on social security.

It should be noted that on Wednesday, the Minister had reassured the public that there would not be any further negotiations on the social security issue, and that despite the fact that the IMF kept on putting pressure on the Greek government, the issue had been settled when the first review had concluded.

The meeting is still in progress and although the agenda was modified the main issue reportedly remains the labour matter.

In their final scheduled meetings with representatives of the Greek government the Troika aims to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the viability and future potential of the Funds for the year 2017 in order to return in November with additional notes and even measures if that is deemed necessary. The meetings will focus on the three more urgent and controversial areas of negotiation: social security, work and fiscal policy.