Schaeuble: Greece will return to the markets by 2018, insists on IMF participation

“Greece will have access to the markets by 2018,” German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in a rare attack of positive mood towards Greece.

“I expect the IMF to remain in the Greek program. It is not so important with what amount the Fund will be involved, what is crucial is that it will do it,” the finance minister said to German daily  Rheinische Post on Friday.

“I think after that Greece will not need another aid package and by 2018 will have access to markets as planned,” he added.

He stressed that “the issue of Greece will not play any role in the German elections.”

It was not clear whether the German finance minister spoke to the daily before or after the meeting with Eurogroup head, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, in Berlin on Thursday afternoon. (athensnewsagency via)

I suppose, Schaeuble read KTG’s post  from April 6 noting

“Schaeuble is meeting Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem  in Berlin today Thursday, a day before the crucial Eurogroup. Wolfgang Schaeuble wants to instruct the Eurogroup chief  on what to with Greece. Most probably, Schaeuble will first read and evaluate the latest public opinion polls in the middle of the German elections campaign.”