A man operates an ATM machine in Athens, Greece, on May 22, 2017. The Greek government expressed optimism here over the expected outcome of the crucial Eurogroup meeting scheduled for Monday in Brussels regarding the progress of the Greek bailout program and further debt relief. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
by Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Greek government expressed optimism here over the expected outcome of the crucial Eurogroup meeting scheduled for Monday in Brussels regarding the progress of the Greek bailout program and further debt relief.
"We hope that the Eurogroup will bridge the differences between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European lenders and we will reach a comprehensive agreement on the Greek debt," government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said addressing an economic conference in Athens on Monday, according to Greek national news agency AMNA.
Following the ratification of the latest set of austerity and reform measures by Greek parliament last week, Greek officials expect that the Eurogroup will seal the conclusion of the second assessment of the current third Greek bailout, which should have closed in February 2016 according to the initial timetable.
The completion of the review opens the way for the release of the next bailout tranche to Greece.
In addition, the Greek government is seeking an agreement on Monday on the sustainability of the Greek debt load to pave the way for further debt relief.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday and the two leaders "agreed on the need for a comprehensive solution for the Greek debt for both Greece's and the eurozone's benefit," according to an e-mailed press statement issued by the Greek prime minister's office.
However, statements by other leaders and officials in Europe and IMF indicate that there is still distance between the two sides on the imminent settlement of the Greek debt issue.
"Greece met its obligations fully and on time and there is no alibi for another delay in the debt settlement," Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos told AMNA before traveling to Brussels.
The Greek official voiced optimism that the way for "a good and final solution" for the debt and Greece's inclusion in the European Central Bank's quantitative easing program could begin at Monday's Eurogroup meeting.
