Programme
Second round of review talks concludes without breakthrough on labour reforms
Despite lengthy meetings that started on Monday morning and continued overnight until 5.30 am on Tuesday, Greek officials and institutions mission chiefs did not clinch an agreement on the key issues of the second programme review.
Greece and lenders make headway on review but labour reforms remain biggest obstacle
After a three-day break, discussions between Greek ministers and the mission chiefs resumed on Sunday, when the key focus was on labour and fiscal issues.
Talks on bailout review head for crucial weekend
After a temporary break on Thursday, when discussions between the Greek authorities and lenders continued at technical level, negotiations are expected to intensify over the weekend ahead of the tabling of the 2017 budget on Monday.
Greece, lenders inch forward after talks on settlement of tax and bank debt
Discussions between the Greek ministers and the institutions’ mission chiefs continued on Wednesday with the key focus on the out-of-court workout.
First day of review talks highlights differences as Athens eyes tight schedule
During the first day of meetings between the Greek authorities and the institutions’ mission chiefs on Tuesday the agenda included an overview, privatisations and labour market issues.
New round of talks on second review begin with labour reforms high on agenda
The second round of discussions between the Greek government and the institutions’ mission chiefs as part of the second programme review is due to begin on Tuesday with three meetings, according to Finance Ministry sources.
Second review to resume in Athens under severe time pressure
The institutions’ mission chiefs are expected to return to Athens early this week to resume discussions with the Greek authorities on the second programme review.
Eurogroup sees possibility of swift review but differences on debt relief remain
There were words of encouragement for Greece regarding the swift conclusion of the second review at Monday’s Eurogroup but also mixed views on whether Athens can expect the detailing of anything more than short-term debt relief measures if the inspection is wrapped up by the next meeting of eurozone finance ministers on December 5.
Houliarakis provides clearest view so far on Athens's debt relief expectations
Alternate Finance Minister Giorgos Houliarakis made the current government’s clearest statement so far on what it expects in terms of debt relief and how it believes this could help the country in the future.
World Bank sets out savings Greece can make from streamlining welfare benefits
The funding of the guaranteed minimum income (GMI) emerged as one of the most contentious issues in the first round of discussions on the second programme review between the Greek government and the institutions’ mission chiefs.