The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sent a chill Thursday in negotiations between Greece and its creditors, saying a deal was still far away, when the negotiations were conducted in parallel in Brussels to try to forge a compromise.
“There are still major differences between us in key sectors and there has been no progress in closing these differences recently. We are still far from agreement” said the spokesman of the fund, Gerry Rice, at a press briefing in Washington.
Among the main points of disagreement include the reform of the pension system, taxes and financing public expenditure , developed the spokesman.
“The ball is now in the Greek camp,” he added, noting that Greece was preparing new proposals for reform in order to obtain disbursements of 7.2 billion euros, which it desperately needs to avoid bankruptcy.
Relatively quiet on the Greek case, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has also called on Thursday the Greek authorities to be “a little more realistic,” saying that “this is not the time to play.” “We need decisions and not negotiations.”
In theory, an agreement must be approved no later than at the meeting of finance ministers of the euro zone next Thursday in Luxembourg. Reflecting the importance of this meeting, the boss of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, will be present.
The statements of the IMF intervened while the Greek negotiators and those of its creditors (EU and IMF) are trying to reach agreement and multiply appointments in Brussels in particular, in order to arrive within days ahead.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met Thursday with President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, who willingly plays the role of facilitator in these difficult negotiations, in an attempt to identify the main lines an agreement.
The meeting lasted two hours and followed a trilateral meeting yesterday between Mr. Tsipras, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande. . Tsipras had then promised to “intensify” discussions with its creditors, which he repeated on Thursday.
While no breakthrough was recorded, these exchanges have generated wind of optimism on the markets: the Athens Stock Exchange ended on a jump of 8%. The other places in Europe, more cautious, have mostly finished slightly higher
-. New concessions –
“We are working to bridge the remaining differences (…) and in order to reach an agreement that guarantees recovery of Greece with social cohesion and a sustainable public debt, “Mr Tsipras said on leaving the meeting with Mr Juncker.
Athens seems ready to make concessions. “There will be a slight increase in taxes will not affect low incomes”, said Economy Minister George Stathakis.
Asked about the possible increase in VAT, one the sticking points so far, Deputy Minister of State Reform, George Katrougalos has not excluded. “Unfortunately at the moment it is necessary to increase government revenues. The tax system is not fair (…) this is only temporary measures to promote economic recovery. We will ensure that low income are not affected. “
Finally, an agreement is drawn on the figure for the fiscal primary surplus that creditors want to set at 1% in 2015. This figure determines the amount of savings to be achieved by the country.
On this question, “there is not much to do to find a common solution,” said Wednesday a source close to the talks.
Athens had proposed earlier this week a balance of 0.75%. The Greek Government was willing to reconsider its position but up to 1%, said Thursday the Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis.
The prospect of new austerity measures in Greece provoked the ire of Greek officials, and Pame, the coalition of trade unions close to the KKE communist party. They called for the protests, including a rally late in the day before the University of Athens, in the center of the capital.
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