Politics
Rhetoric ramped up ahead of Eurogroup but deal still in sight
As Thursday's Eurogroup approaches, Athens and Berlin are dialling up their rhetoric but an agreement that will fall short of Greek expectations while still leaving Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras with something to grasp on to still seems the most likely outcome of the meeting.
Expectations for deal on Thursday rise as Athens tempers own
An agreement at Thursday’s Eurogroup seems the most likely outcome even though Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras repeated his warning on Tuesday that he would take the matter to the European Council a week later if there is no deal.
Athens cautious after Skopje suggests concession on name issue
The new government in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is considering new proposals regarding its provisional name in order to overcome its name dispute with Greece and become a NATO member.
Athens banks on French support for debt relief and growth
The Greek government is due to welcome French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire to Athens on Monday as it heads into the last few days of intensive negotiations before Thursday’s Eurogroup.
Athens ties up prior actions, IMF hints at programme role
Government MPs were due to vote on Thursday afternoon a series of last-minute amendments aimed at ensuring that Greece has completed all 140 of its prior actions ahead of Thursday’s Eurogroup.
Greece eyes higher growth as possible catalyst for Eurogroup deal
In an apparent change of direction, the Greek government appears to have pinned its hopes for an agreement with creditors at the June 15 Eurogroup on the possibility of the country’s growth projections being revised upwards and this feeding into the debt relief measures that will be needed.
SYRIZA holds fire as Eurogroup expectations continue to be lowered
A meeting of SYRIZA’s political secretariat on Tuesday resulted in the party reaffirming the government’s insistence that it will not implement the fiscal measures lined up for 2019 and 2020 if the International Monetary Fund does not join the Greek programme with funding.
Athens encouraged by terms for new round of Cyprus talks
Nicosia and Athens appear satisfied with the outcome of Sunday's meeting at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, where a decision was taken to attempt another round of reunification talks.
Tsipras tackles two fronts as debt talks continue
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will have his eye on two fronts this week: The ongoing discussions with Greece’s lenders over a possible agreement at next week’s Eurogroup and the process of ensuring that his party remains fully behind him while the talks continue.
Athens unsettled by speculation about proposal at June 15 Eurogroup
The week ends with little clarity on what kind of agreement will be possible at the June 15 Eurogroup and with the Greek government’s position yet to crystallise.