The Greek government will hold talks with its international creditors from the European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Paris on Tuesday in an effort to reach a breakthrough over its bailout program. Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis will lead the Greek delegation following an announcement by the Ministry of Finance.
Greece is considering a package with a number of compromise measures to cover the 2.5-billion euro fiscal gap that troika’s representatives estimate for 2015. Until late last night, Greek delegates were examining the measures and looking at compromise solutions that can be reached according to instructions given by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.
The measures that the government is considering concern austerity cuts at municipalities and public utilities as well as salary expenditure in the Public Sector.
The Greek side has yet to agree to harsh measures that Troika is insisting on, especially the IMF. The Greek stand on not budging as far as wage and pension cuts and mass dismissals are concerned is negatively viewed by the IMF. A new teleconference call with Greece’s international creditors is expected on Monday afternoon or on Tuesday.
The government delegation hopes to reach an agreement so that the troika can be in Greece by Sunday, November 30, or Monday, December 1, for a couple of days before discussion on the new budget begins in Greek Parliament. The Greek government has already tabled a budget without the troika’s approval. It is hoped that troika’s review will be ready by the December 8 Eurogroup and so that announcements for the next day for Greece following its exit from the bailout can be made at the European summit on December 18 and that decisions can be ratified by 10 national parliaments at around the Christmas period.
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