The Greek government is expecting by the end of today to close the first round of negotiations with the “troika” and with its creditors. This will get the country closer to a potential deal by the end of August. In the ranks of the Greek government there is optimism that by August 18 or 20 they can close all open questions, such as the new privatization fund, the unpaid loans, the primary surplus, the recession and questions related to the reforms of early retirement. The solving of these issues will open a green light for the country towards getting the first part of the new loan.
Finance Minister Efklidis Tsakalotos noted, with a dose of optimism, that the negotiations go better than the expected and that he is hoping to surmount the hurdles that stand in the way of a complete loan plan instead of a temporary which would mean a further postponing of the negotiations. There is optimism in Brussels where the Commission’s President Jean-Claude Juncker said that all messages are pointing towards a final agreement on the adoption of new measures, reforms and a new loan on August 20.
-All reports that come to my address give me the freedom to think that an agreement is possible in the course of this month, possibly before August 20. The negotiations are advancing with a satisfactory rhythm for both the Greek government and the EC- said Juncker.
One of the biggest questions that are being discussed is how the privatization fond TAIPED will be reformed into a stronger institution that will put under its roof state properties and companies whose sale is expected to bring 50 million euro to the government. The European creditors are demanding the fund to be completely independent in that it will be operated by a new leadership comprised mainly of technocrats and not party cadre, who will represent also the other political parties in the country besides Syriza.
