Inspectors back for post-bailout assessment amid debt warnings

As foreign auditors returned to Athens on Monday, for the first assessment of Greece's finances since the country exited its international bailouts last month, a top European official stressed that debt relief will depend on the continuation of economic reforms.

Technical teams started their inspection at the General Accounting Office on Monday, laying the groundwork for the mission chiefs who are due in the Greek capital on Wednesday for talks with ministers on the budget and reform commitments.

Those talks come in the wake of pledges over the weekend by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras for cuts in taxes and social security contributions as well as rent subsidies for poor households and other benefits.

Tsipras also vowed to press European officials to suspend a further round of a cuts to pensions, due to come into effect in January, claiming that the measure is not...