Political leaders in Greece have concluded the agreement on reforms and austerity measures needed to get the second program of financial support of 130 billion euros, hours before a meeting of eurozone finance ministers, government sources said. Greek finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos, had left Brussels Thursday without the full agreement, after talks throughout the night with leaders of three parties supporting the government in Athens. The problem remained unsolved was related to pension cuts.
European Union leaders have been exasperated by the delay of IMF agreement regarding the required reforms in exchange for the financial aid of 130 billion euros, given that Greece has to redeem in March 20 bonds of 14.5 billion euros. Sources announced that, after negotiations, an agreement was reached on Thursday. According to officials in the euro area, the entire program must be approved by 15 February so as to avoid a messy default of Greece.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Greek authorities continue discussions on the details of the second program of financial support, after the agreement of political leaders in Athens on austerity measures, announced the financial institution. “Agreement of political leaders in Athens is a major step, next step is to continue discussions from this base”, said Gerry Rice, IMF spokesman.
Greece’s political leaders have concluded the agreement on reforms and austerity measures needed to achieve the second program of financial support of 130 billion just hours before a meeting of eurozone finance ministers, said on Thursday, Greek PM, Lucas Papademos. “Consultations between the government and the troika (representatives of the EU, ECB and IMF) on the outstanding issue have successfully completed this morning. Political leaders have agreed on the result of these discussions”, Papademos said.
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