Euro Group

Greece and its international creditors were to begin fiscal talks in Athens on March 12, a government source said, breaking a six-week impasse over attempts to overhaul the country's unpopular bailout.
      
"Talks are scheduled to begin on fiscal issues today," a finance ministry source told AFP, adding that discussions on structural reforms and banks would be held next week.

In an interview that was published today by the Spanish newspaper El Pais, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras must explain to the Greek people that not all of his pre-election promises can be kept.

 Creditors clear reforms with some caveats

The government on Tuesday shifted its focus to the pressing matter of tackling immediate funding needs after the country?s international creditors provisionally approved a list of economic reforms proposed by the Greek authorities albeit with some concerns.

The ‘marathon’ discussion of the government council included subjects such as the Eurogroup decision of Friday, the possibilities it entails, as well as the list of reforms to be sent by the government on Monday.

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said on Saturday he was confident his country's EU and IMF partners will accept a list of reform promises that the government must produce by Monday.

Eurozone finance ministers reached a deal on the Greece bailout plan late on Friday evening.

The financial aid program will be extended by four months, if Greece manages to present an initial list of reform measures.

According to diplomatic sources there are signs of progress, as Seven hour long Euroworking Group meeting concludes.

Earlier on Thursday evening, according to sources the German delegation at the EuroWorking group has backed off its previously unbending position vis-à-vis a same-day Greek request for a loan agreement extension.

By Renee Maltezou & Jan Strupczewski

Greece formally requested a six-month extension to its eurozone loan agreement on Thursday, offering major concessions as it raced to avoid running out of cash within weeks and overcome resistance from skeptical partners led by Germany.

Greece on Feb. 19 formally asked the EU for a six-month loan extension, officials in Athens and Brussels said, hoping to avoid default and draft a new deal with its creditors.
      
Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on his Twitter account that he had received the request, without giving further details.
      

Greece will submit its request for a six- month loan extension to the euro-area Thursday, a day later than originally planned, according to a government official.