UPD1: Latest Info on Greek Debt Countdown in Brussels

Posted by keeptalkinggreece in Economy

All eyes are focused on the European leaders in Brussels bound to take historical decisions on the Greek debt and the whole of Europe. The meeting is about to start soon. A failure of taking the needed decisions tonight might cause turmoil in the markets on Thursday morning, with Spanish and Italian bonds to be attacked by the speculators. French President Nicholas Sakrozy warned that “Europe is close to collapse.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel received the support of the German parliament, the Bundestag, to negotiate on a EFSF measures package. At the same time she vehemently demanded a haircut of 60% and a permanent supervision on Greece’s expenditures.

Greke media report that Greek Prime minister George Papandreou accepted the presence of permanent controllers over Greece’s expenditures.

A deadlock occurred  between EU politicians and private investors on the haircut issue. Bankers want a 45% maximum 50% haircut. Thy also ask guarantees that the EU leaders are not keen to give.  

“European Union talks with banks on bondholder losses as part of a second Greek rescue package are deadlocked and have been suspended, an EU official said.

The EU is seeking voluntary participation by banks, though a forced solution can’t be ruled out, the official said in Brussels today on condition of anonymity because the talks are private.

While policy makers and bankers are converging on a 50 percent write-down for Greece’s lenders, the disagreement centered on the specifics of the transaction. The dispute focused on how much of the risk of newly issued Greek bonds should be insured, the official said.” (Bloomberg )

On Tuesday night the banks put forward a new proposal on Greece in an effort to break the deadlock.

“A source told Dow Jones the banks are awaiting reaction from euro-zone governments and Greece. The proposal was put forward by representatives of the Institute of International Finance, the bank lobby group whose chief executive, Charles Dallara, has been in negotiations in Brussels for almost two weeks.

The source said the proposal contained a higher discount rate than the 9% agreed on a July 21 deal for Greece agreed by euro-zone leaders. The increase, which reflects the deterioration in Greek bond prices since July, would reduce the impact of any given headline reduction in net present value (NPV). The July 21 deal called for a 21% NPV cut.

The IIF has been insisting that any deal is voluntary, arguing that if the reduction in the value of private bond holdings resulting from any bond exchange exceeds about 40% that would be impossible.”

However the talks between EU officials and bankers started about an hour ago.

Merkel who has the upper hand on the issue seems to be adamant even to drive Greece into bankruptcy. Will she dare to independently of causing a domino effect to other weak economies within the euro zone? It’s a political decision and it has to be taken tonight.

Late afternoon information from Brussels claimed the possibility that the EU leaders will agree on a frame work of rescue plan. THAT would be a dangerous game, should it leave space for differentiate reading.

UPDATE 1 – 9:30 pm (GR time): Angela Merkel and Nicholas Sarkozy will have face to face talks with the bankers – Allegedly the two leaders will pospose a 50% haircut [ I see that both sides will agree on 45% at the end of the day - Turkish bargain in the heart of Europe?]

The night will be long, so updates will come tomorrow morning.