EU economic affairs commissioner Pierre Moscovici on Monday told reporters in Athens that the Union and Greece should conclude negotiations over debt relief by the end of the year, in tandem with ensuring conditions for continued IMF participation in the Greek program.
While the influential French Commissioner’s comment was positively received, he nevertheless appeared unmoved over another request by the Greek side for a reduction of the target of annual primary budget surpluses, compared to GDP.
"We need to reach a positive agreement involving the IMF by the end of the year," Moscovici said after meetings with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos.
"It is in the interest of all parties that the IMF is fully on board," he said, adding that the US-based fund lent "credibility and visibility" to the Greek bailout.
