EU sources say talks on debt relief possible only with government with strong mandate

ESM head Regling says reforms and review of program required for debt talks

Greek newspaper ‘Ta Nea’ cite an EU source, according to which negotiations on a possible Greek relief will take place only if a government with a strong mandate emerges after the September 20 elections. The Greek newspaper says the message has been sent to all political parties in Greece, with the EU source reportedly making it clear that: “It is naive to believe that a deal will be struck with half of Greece”. According to the newspaper, the Brussels source says this particular point is of the utmost gravity in talks for the formation of a government after September 20. Meanwhile, ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling underlined that any talks on a Greek debt relief could only start if the next Greek government implemented the agreed reforms and after these reforms had been reviewed by the institutions.