Greece. An agreement on a third aid package is close – Ouest-France

The discussions are “in the final straight line” , had said Saturday the Greek Minister of Economy, Giorgos Stathakis before the resumption of talks with the European Central Bank (ECB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), 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 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 (economy reforms, budget cuts) before August 20, when Greece must repay 3 4 billion euros at the ECB.

The discussions are progressing well and are expected to close on Tuesday, explained a European source told 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.

The current aid plan from August 20?

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

This text must then be passed by the Greek Parliament, no later than Thursday, and be presented to the Ministers of Finance of the area euro, which could meet on Friday to give the green light.

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

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

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

“Neither a government led by Syriza, nor the countries have a future if we accept a third memorandum “, has in turn unleashed the ancient Greek energy minister, Panagiotis Lafazanis, who voted against this third aid package during an interview with Sunday newspaper Avgi.