Tough negotiations between Greece and its creditors in Brussels – Le Figaro

Meeting in Brussels throughout the weekend, Greece and its creditors led tedious negotiations. The reforms proposed by Athens are too vague. Greece could end up defaulting on 9 April.

The tension rises increasingly between Athens and Brussels. Gathered in the European capital throughout the weekend, Greece and its creditors (European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund and European Commission) conducted tedious negotiations on reforms that Athens must implement to receive help of $ 7.2 billion. The chances of reaching agreement on a final list of reforms on Monday, remain slim or no. “There is a willingness to talk. But in concrete terms, the negotiations are difficult, “admitted Sunday a European diplomat. Before insisting on the fact that the reform proposals are “waves”, while creditors want “concrete and operational proposals”.

The Greek government has indicated that its proposals, s Striker including the fight against tax evasion, would increase state revenues 3 billion and bring a growth rate of 1.4% in Greece in 2015. And he opposed new “recession measures” as a reduction of wages or pensions, various Greek media reported. But in Brussels, it continues to insist on the implementation of credible fiscal reforms, the issue of privatization or on measures, for example, the retirement age.

For now, “Greece is focused on social measures” and remains evasive on issues of interest to creditors, a European diplomat assured Sunday. “The best thing would be to continue technical discussions” and that Greece submits its final list of the latest reforms. And not on Monday as Athens hoped.

When the list has passed the three institutions, it will then be forwarded to the Eurogroup Working Group for consideration. The latter could meet by teleconference Wednesday if, and only if, proposals for concrete and credible reforms are on the table before. Once this is done, the file will be submitted to the finance ministers of the euro zone for approval. For now, no Eurogroup meeting is scheduled. It all depends on Greece “only moves in extreme cases,” do we insist in Brussels.

Tsipras government is in a very difficult position. It is accountable to the voters who said ‘no’ to austerity. At the same time, he wants to get the green light from its European creditors to receive financial assistance under the assistance program, and so avoid possible default. Greece could indeed do not have sufficient liquidity from the 9th of April. Still, nothing is very clear on this point. “The liquidity situation in Greece remains unclear, the data changes all the time,” say some observers. According tidibits, Athens could still find money until mid-April …

In addition, the final list of reforms will be sufficient to allow Athens to receive At least part of the 7.2 billion help? Here again, the information is confusing. Some European sources stress the need for concrete progress, such as the adoption of some laws.