The aim is to reach a staff level agreement by the Eurogroup on April 7, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said on Monday, as Greece and lenders continue negotiations in order to conclude the second review of the current Greek program.
The spokesman said that the negotiations between Greece and the institutions continue with the view to concluding the second programme review as soon as possible.
Schinas reiterated the statement of the European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker that “all sides need to work hard so that a staff level agreement is reached as soon as possible.”
Concluding, Schinas said that the next meeting will be the Eurogroup on April 7 when ideally “we will be in a position to present a staff level agreement.”
Greek media report that negotiations continue via teleconferences, e-mails and other forms of communications.
According to Greek media, the two side seem to have reached consensus on additional pension cuts in return for less labor reforms.
The lenders reportedly want from the Greek government to state in a written form what has been agreed upon until now.
At the same time, the lenders press Greece to sell up to 40 percent of state-control power units.
Poul Thomsen, responsible for the IMF’s program in Europe revealed about the Greek program.
video: EN with GR subtitles
For <Schauble> press 1
For <IMF> press 2
For <Eurogroup> press 3
For <another bailout> press 0
PS I bet my last two cents, the lenders will extend and extend and extend … till June, so that they have the upper hand and Greece under immense pressure.