IMF announces its intention to participate in the Greek program

He said that a meeting has been scheduled between Lagarde and Tsipras at the annual World Economic Forum Meeting in Davos

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) spokesman Gerry Rice said on Thursday  that IMF wants to participate in Greece’s economic program both in an advisory and in a funding capacity as soon as deep reforms and a debt relief are agreed.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Rice also said that a meeting has been scheduled between IMF’s head Christine Lagarde and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at the annual World Economic Forum Meeting in Davos.

As for Greece’s proposals for the reforms of the pension and social security system he said: “We have not completed their evaluation. We’ll discuss them with the Greek authorities and the European partners in the framework of the [program] review,” he said.

Mr. Rice also that the proposed reforms are necessary as the funding of the system through the country’s budget has reached 10% of GDP threatening fiscal stability.