Athens is close to an agreement with creditors on the third aid package – The Tribune.fr

The discussions on the new assistance program are “in the home stretch.” This was said Saturday, August 8 Greek Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis before the resumption of talks with the European Central Bank (ECB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Mechanism European Stability (MES), which had lasted more than six hours. Sunday, the negotiations started at 14:00 local time (1100 GMT) and were still not completed to 1900 GMT.

The discussions are progressing well and are expected to close Tuesday, August 11, even explained a source European AFP. She currently are on a list of priority actions that Athens agrees to implement. On this basis, and once this list is sufficiently supplied and supported, that the memorandum, the agreement for a support program, and it may be concluded no later than Tuesday, said the same source

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“We need an agreement by Tuesday and all parties work there, “said another European source on condition of anonymity.

Greek MPs Vote by Thursday

As a reminder, the EU institutions and the Greek government should finalize a draft of the third aid program, amounting to 82 billion euros, in exchange for a series of austerity measures imposed on Greece ( reforms of the economy, budget cuts) before August 20, when Greece has to repay 3.4 billion euros at the ECB.

Once validated by Athens and its creditors, the text must then be passed by the Greek Parliament, no later than Thursday, and be presented to finance ministers of the eurozone, which could meet on Friday to give the green light.

This scenario would pave the way entry into force of the aid plan before August 20

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An agreement from that Monday?

“All the signs are now pointing towards an agreement … that would possibly even reached today,” Sunday had advanced pro-government Greek newspaper Avgi.

According to the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a draft memorandum of understanding that defines the necessary reforms for the three years to come, is already ready.

“Neither a government led by Syriza, nor the country have a future if we accept a third memorandum,” has in turn dropped the former Greek Minister Energy, Panagiotis Lafazanis, who voted against this third aid package during an interview Sunday at Avgi newspaper.

(With AFP)