Greece’s European creditors gave the green light for the disbursement of the one billion euro in the context of the third bailout program. According to some news agencies, the creditors have already even “handed over” the one-billion-euro. The bailout tranche release has been made after creditors came to conclusion that “Athens met their demands for further tough economic reforms.”
“With the disbursement of one billion euros, the ESM is supporting the Greek government in its reform process,” ESM head Klaus Regling said in a statement.
“The reforms cover a wide array of policy fields that are important to modernise the Greek economy,” he said.
Regling reiterated that the debt can only be addressed if Greece continues to live up to its commitments on reform.
“I hope the good cooperation with our Greek partners will continue, so that the first review of the ESM programme can be completed in early 2016,” Regling said.
“Only a successful conclusion of this review can lead to discussions on further debt relief for Greece, as the (group of eurozone finance ministers) has said before,” he said.
Despite the chilly evening, Greeks wanted to rush to the streets and Rejoice! the beautiful announcement 3 days before Christmas and …oh wait! They just realised that 85%-90% of the one billion will go back to the lenders.
Therefore the austerity version of Handels’ Messiah “Rejoice” is brought to you by the Sacramento City College Choir.
embedded by Embedded Video
YouTube Direkt
And a more funky Hallelujah version by Monk Hallelujah Chorus
embedded by Embedded Video
YouTube Direkt
ESM statement:
The Board of Directors of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) today authorised the disbursement of €1 billion to Greece. This disbursement, which follows the Greek government’s completion of the second set of reform milestones, will be used by the government for debt service, budget financing, and co-financing projects funded by EU structural funds.
ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling said: “With the disbursement of €1 billion, the ESM is supporting the Greek government in its reform process. The reforms cover a wide array of policy fields that are important to modernise the Greek economy. Notable examples include measures to stimulate competition in the energy sector, which should bring down prices, as well as a new law to help banks manage their exposure to non-performing assets, which will free liquidity and boost economic activity.
Mr Regling added: “I hope the good cooperation with our Greek partners will continue, so that the first review of the ESM programme can be completed in early 2016. Only a successful conclusion of this review can lead to discussions on further debt relief for Greece, as the Eurogroup has said before.”
The €1 billion will be the third and final disbursement of the initial loan sub-tranche of €16 billion agreed in August 2015. The ESM has also disbursed €5.4 billion to Greece for bank recapitalisation. Following the disbursement approved today, the total amount of ESM financial assistance for Greece will thus reach €21.4 billion, which is around 25% of the initial programme volume of up to €86 billion approved by the ESM Board of Governors on 19 August 2015 (via EMS website)
PS the One Billion Euro is allegedly to be booked in Greece’s account tonight or tomorrow morning. Unless they transfer the money per ppaypal which is faster.
