Finance minister: Greece to submit reforms list today

Image
AP Athens
Last Updated : Feb 22 2015 | 3:35 AM IST
Greece will submit a list of reforms to be agreed with its creditors today, the country's finance minister has said.
"We are in the process of compiling the list of reforms for the institutions," finance minister Yanis Varoufakis told reporters yesterday evening, following an inner cabinet meeting under prime minister Alexis Tsipras.
Following weeks of accusations and distrust, Greece and its creditors in the 19-nation eurozone reached an agreement Friday to extend the country's rescue loans, a move that should dramatically ease concerns it was heading for the euro exit as soon as next month.
The agreement means that Greece will avoid going bankrupt, at least over the four months of the extension. To get the money though, the Greek government has to present a series of unspecified economic reforms that are deemed acceptable by creditors and rooted in Greece's previously enacted bailout agreement something the government had promised not to do.
Varoufakis yesterday said the list of reforms would be submitted in good time, giving the creditors as much time as possible to assess it.
He added he is very confident that the list will be approved "the institutions" meaning the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, previously collectively referred to as "the Troika."
Replacing the word "troika" with "institutions" in official communication about the negotiations was a semantic concession to the new government, which has been telling Greeks that they have got rid of the Troika. The term itself had been associated in the minds of Greeks with mid-level officials representing the three institutions visiting the country and bossing around ministers.
Varoufakis said Greece and the creditors will discuss the reform list via teleconference Monday. If the institutions approve it, talks for the completion of the existing bailout package will continue. If not, the eurozone's finance ministers will hold a new Eurogroup meeting Tuesday.
Earlier, Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras hailed the "important success" of Greece's negotiations with its creditors, but warned that more difficult consultations lie ahead.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 22 2015 | 3:35 AM IST

Next Story