Negotiations between the Greek side and top auditors representing the "quartet" of the country's institutional creditors will begin on Oct. 23, with the goal of concluding the third review of the ongoing bailout being the end of the year - as repeatedly cited by European leaders and the Greek cabinet members.
The target eyed by Athens - and backed by the IMF - is to conclude the review and then begin talks with European creditors over whatever debt relief measures within 2018.
Almost the entire leadership of the embattled leftist-rightist coalition government is in the United States this week, with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to meet with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Monday afternoon (Washington D.C. time) , a day before he is received at the White House by Donald Trump - an outspoken US leader at the opposite political spectrum from the formerly anti-bailout, anti-austerity and once radical leftist Greek premier.
Lagarde received Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos over the weekend, with the Greek side, at least, unofficially referring to "positive talks".
In Chicago, Tsipras took a page out of his former rival's phraseology, referring to a "Greek comeback" in terms of an economic recovery since 2015. He echoed ex-premier Antonis Samaras' "success story" quip in 2014, which was criticized by then opposition leader Tsipras.
Contacts with various Greek-American groups, would-be investors and even municipal leaders dominated the Tsipras-led government delegation's contacts in the "Windy City".
In terms of the anxiously expected meeting with Trump on Tuesday, the Greek side has pointed to energy issues, security and even investment possibilities. Unofficially, local press reports have cited the Trump administration's interest in expanding the operational capability of the Souda Bay anchorage and military base on the northern coast of Crete.
In talks with Lagarde, the IMF's stance in the ongoing Greek bailout and its continued participation will, obviously, dominate the agenda of talks, along with looming negotiations over a conclusion of the third review and even future debt relief for the country - something desperately desired by Athens and thoroughly supported by the Fund.
