Greek PM faces Merkel amid race to detail reforms

As government officials scramble to draft a list of detailed reforms in line with demands by the country?s international creditors, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is due in Berlin on Monday for crucial talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as concerns grow about Greece?s dwindling cash reserves.

In a statement to Sunday?s Kathimerini, Tsipras said the meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to talk without pressure. The meeting ?will not be pressurized by negotiations,? the premier said. ?And this is very significant because we can both discuss the important issues that are burdening Europe as well as improving bilateral relations between the two countries.?

Tsipras highlighted a ?unique opportunity to pursue changes which previous governments did not dare to attempt, either because they were committed to powerful interests or because they did not have popular support.?

Despite the premier?s optimistic tone, the challenge he faces is tough and multi-faceted. First of all, despite his reassurances that Greece will meet all its obligations, the state is running out of money. Greece needs an estimated 1.5 billion euros to meet its obligations for March and 2 billion euros for April. Sources indicated that officials have found a way of covering obligations for this week but the outlook from then onward is unclear. Greek officials are said to be considering a range of options. One of those is the use of IOUs for the payment of salaries and pensions. There is also the possibility of tapping the reserves of pension funds, state bodies and utilities, though the institutions in question appear reluctant to oblige.

Meanwhile Tsipras?s government is under renewed pressure to prepare a raft of reforms, based on a list sent to creditors...