Eurogroup chief, Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, has dismissed Tuesday’s rumors suggesting that Greece and its international creditors had reached an agreement. “Theoretically a deal is not possible this week,” Dijsselbloem said pouring a barrel of cold water to any optimism at the Greek side. Speaking to Dutch TV, Dijsselbloem said that “slow progress has been made but that it was not enough.”
Dijsselbloem said a deal over the country’s bailout “not theoretically possible this week”.
Earlier during the day, Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras announced he had submitted a “realistic plan” for economic reforms to the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
He said that Greece had “not received an agreement plan from the [creditor] institutions, nor has there been contact between prime minister or some other official of a government with corresponding officials from the institutions.” (source)
He said also that slow progress is being made in bailout talks between Greece and its international creditors but it is «not enough».
“There is some progress, but it’s really not enough,” Dijsselbloem said on Dutch television of the talks aimed at unlocking 7.2 billion euros and helping Athens make a critical repayment to the IMF on Friday.
Greece must be “honest with voters”, he added.
