Seventh austerity package

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras forecast a happy end soon to fraught negotiations with creditors on a cash-for-reform deal, and the chairman of euro zone finance ministers said talks were making progress, though not enough for a deal next week.

The German government said on Wednesday that it was unrealistic to expect eurozone countries to be able to pay out a new tranche of aid to Greece this month.

Greek officials and euro-area technical experts yesterday discussed an updated list of reform proposals but were unable to reach an agreement that would pave the way for Greece ending its liquidity shortage by receiving at least part of the 7.2 billion euros remaining in bailout funding.

Memorandums ended on January 25 and the new Greek government signed an extension of the loan agreement under the decision of the Eurogroup of February 20, clarifies the Maximos Mansion responding effectively to New Democracy accusations.

Berlin does not see any basis for Greece to get the next tranche of its bailout immediately to prevent it from becoming insolvent but if Athens implements its reforms sooner than expected, it could get paid early, a German finance ministry spokesman said.

 Greece sends list, aims to raise 3 bln euros in extra revenues this year, but further consultation needed

The Brussels Group, technical teams from Greece and its lenders, is on Saturday due to begin discussing the details of Athens reform proposals, which were completed Friday and will determine to a large extent whether creditors decide to release further bailout funding.

Eurozone finance ministers on Tuesday gave the green light to Greece's reform proposals that will enable extension of the country's bailout programme, VOA reported.

Greece was to hand in a delayed list of proposed reforms Feb. 24 morning aimed at winning a four-month extension of its massive bailout -- after missing a Monday deadline set by its international lenders.
      

By Renee Maltezou

Greece's list of reforms to be submitted to the euro zone on Monday comprises pledges on structural issues such as tax evasion and corruption over the next four months without specific targets, a government official said on Saturday.

By Nikos Konstandaras