Athens: design for new reform package should be in – derStandard.at

Athens – In the negotiations on a third aid program for Greece obviously progress has been made. Creditors certified Athens a “very good cooperation”. But there was still some unresolved issues, are therefore more “intensive talks” on weekends required, it said on Saturday from diplomatic sources in Brussels. Media reported agreement on a draft agreement.

Since last week advised representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and the euro bailout fund ESM on the details of the planned new aid program for Greece with a volume of 82 billion euros. Athens had accepted in principle that there is “a new, must be a third round of reforms,” ​​said an EU diplomat. “We are approaching the home stretch,” said the Greek Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis.

new memorandum

According to information from the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung” (FAS) agreed the institutions on Saturday on the draft of a new memorandum, which specifies the reform for the next three years. The 27-page paper should therefore be coordinated over the weekend with the Greek government and then presented the financial state secretaries of the EU Member States. Voted to this, all the preparations could begin for to decide a third rescue package for Greece in the next week. An EU diplomat called an agreement in the coming days as an “ambitious but feasible target”.

The layout of the program may already be on Tuesday, reported the Greek press. Next Thursday a decision of the Parliament in Athens and on Friday the euro zone finance ministers would be possible. Athens then gets the required approval of some parliaments of the euro zone, the Greeks could settle their debts with fresh money from the new rescue program. Time is pressing: On August 20, Athens has to repay 3.4 billion euros at the ECB. Succeed by then no agreement, Athens would have to apply for a new bridge loan from the EU.

skepticism in Berlin

While European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker before showed few days confident skeptical tones came from Berlin. The German side made it clear that it still sees a need for clarification on some points, said a person told Reuters from the EU district, who is familiar with the negotiations.

It goes about it, the recent to carry negative economic developments in Greece in the agreements into account. It adds that in the budgets of the Greek government and with details of the planned privatization funds still need for discussion. In addition, Germany will, according to the “FAS” initially only release about 20 billion euros as Credit first installment, while institutions hold 30 to 35 billion euros for properly. The Ministry of Finance in Berlin wanted to recent developments with regard to ongoing negotiations not comment.

A little excited for new aid for Athens showed especially Helsinki. Finland is not participating, according to the Government may at the third rescue program. It will not be accepted if the burden on Finland increased, Secretary Timo Soini said on Saturday. In addition, Finland will endorse no debt cut for Greece. The aid policy for Greece was not working. (APA, 9.8.2015)