Τhe Greek government is cultivating hopes that a completion of the closely watched first review of the Greek program (the third bailout) will be achieved by April 11, following the latest round of talks in Athens between the former and representatives of Greece’s institutional creditors.
Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem, usually one of the toughest critics of Athens, gave a nod last week by saying that negotiations have posted “significant progress”.
According to reports, both sides are close on pension reforms and tax changes, whereas differences continue over the acute problem of “non-performing loans” in the country.
No less than nine tax hikes are envisioned, in income, property, fuels and dividends.
If things go according to the leftist Greek government’s plan, the conclusion of the review will be followed by talks on possible easing of the sovereign debt, a restoration of full liquidity by the ECB and a loan tranche of 5.7 billion euros – all elements that will, hopefully, jump-start the shrinking Greek economy.
Representatives of the “quartet” of institutional creditors – Commission, ECB, IMF and ESM – will return on April 2 to try and close the review by April 11, the same say as a session of the Euro Working Group
