A man walks past a newsstand in Athens, capital of Greece, on June 16, 2017. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hailed on Friday the compromise deal struck on Thursday in the Euro Group meeting as a "decisive step to exit the crisis," as opposition parties and media expressed doubts whether it will indeed help Greece restore growth. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
ATHENS, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hailed on Friday the compromise deal struck on Thursday in the Euro Group meeting as a "decisive step to exit the crisis," as opposition parties and media expressed doubts whether it will indeed help Greece restore growth.
During their meeting in Luxembourg euro zone Finance ministers agreed to give the green light for the disbursement of the next bailout tranche to Greece in coming weeks so it can repay 7 billion euros (7.8 billion U.S. dollars) debt maturing in July.
In addition to the conclusion of the long-delayed second review of Greece's third bailout program, the International Monetary Fund announced its decision to typically join the program, without, however offering substantial funding until European lenders further clarify their view on debt relief, the topic which has divided IMF and European creditors stalling progress.
Thursday's meeting fell short of giving a detailed clear outline of the measures they intend to take to help make the Greek debt load sustainable. Ministers pledged to discuss the debt relief issue after the end of the current program in 2018.
The "second best solution" as IMF chief Christine Lagarde branded Thursday's deal during a press conference after the meeting, left Greeks divided whether the end of the review which was supposed to conclude in February 2016 under the initial schedule, will lift the uncertainty over the prospects of the ailing economy and help its return to bond markets this year.
"Euro Group's decision is a decisive step that sends a positive message to the markets," Tsipras said during a meeting with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos to brief him on the developments.
"We must not relax, but intensify our efforts for a dynamic recovery of the economy," the Greek Premier added, according to an e-mailed statement issued by his office.
Thursday's outcome is a "clear commitment for the final end to the memoranda with the completion of the third program" he said.
On his part, the Greek President talked about a decision which "is the beginning of a great effort to get the country out of the crisis once and for all," according to an e-mailed press release issued from the Presidency.
"Eurogoup's decision on Thursday proved that the main principle and value of solidarity is operating despite the problems," Pavlopoulos said.
Main opposition conservative New Democracy party saw a defeat in Luxembourg.
"The government once again went under the bar that it had set itself and the second review was completed with enormous delay and a heavy cost for the citizens," read a party announcement.
"The tranche will mostly go to the payment of the loans. Euro Group praised and ratified the measures of the second review which do not serve the interests of people and opened the way to the fourth memorandum," the Greek Communist Party (KKE) commented.
The front pages of the Friday editions of Greek newspapers also reflected the mixed feelings in Athens.
"Green light for Greece and for the markets," read the main title of Eidiseis (News) daily. "Agreement for 8.5 billion euros (nothing on the debt)" was the title of Dimokratia's (Democracy) editorial. "8.5 billion euro loan tranche and a lot of promises," read the title on the front page top story of Kathimerini (Daily) newspaper. (1 euro= 1.1 US dollars)
