EC

European Commission deputy spokeswoman Mina Andreeva expressed satisfaction over the progress made in negotiations between Greece and the four institutions from the EC, ECB, ESM and IMF.

Athens talks with the four institutions (EC, ECB, ESM and IMF) are at their most crucial stage. Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and Economy Minister George Stathakis concluded negotiations with Greece’s quartet of creditors on Wednesday afternoon, however there are still a number of differences, such as the issue of the minimum wage.

The Greek government leaked a non-paper late Wednesday to the media upon the completion of economic policy council cabinet meeting saying an agreement with the creditors before August 20 was ‘absolutely feasible’. Some government officials are more optimistic saying a deal could be reached as soon as the upcoming weekend.

Greece and its creditors (EC, ECB, IMF and ESM) will focus on issues concerning corruption and justice on Monday. Government sources said that the issues are to be discussed at a technical staff level.

The hopes of the the Greek negotiating team that a final agreement would be reached with the Quartet as swiftly as possible and lead to the disbursement of the large 86-bln-Euro bailout loan, are fading away, especially after the postponement of the Quartet’s meeting with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (TAIPED) for Monday.

Pressure is mounting on the Greek government, as representatives of the Quartet- ECB, IMF, EC and ESM- are demanding for another round of prior actions. More specifically, even before formal negotiations start, the tough technical team of the institutions want the Greek government to pass a bill including the abolition of early pensions within the first ten day of August.

A growing file of law suits – three in total – against former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis is in Greek Parliament. The accusations concern his Plan B – a plan for a parallel payments system based on Greece’s tax register.

Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government spokesperson Gabriel Sakellaridis said that “Yanis Varoufakis as Finance Minister played a leading role in the negotiations (with creditors from the EC, ECB and IMF) from the first day of the government.

Greek State Minister Nikos Pappas, top aide to Radical left Coalition (SYRIZA) Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told journalists on Thursday that the banking system would return to normal “the minute we have a clear result.” Reuters reports that a deal with Greece’s international creditors (EC, ECB and IMF), will be reached soon after Sunday’s referendum.

Former PASOK leader and veteran minister Evangelos Venizelos on Tuesday called the latest televised appearance by Greek PM Alexis Tsipras a “panicked reaction” and disrespectful of national interests.

Venizelos’ sharp criticism came hours after Tsipras’ most recent “proclamation” on Greek television, where he defended his decision for a snap referendum and his call for a “no” vote.