The international institutions – European Commission, European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Stability Mechanism – said in a statement on Thursday that important progress has been made in talks with Athens on a bailout review that could unlock more aid funds and debt relief discussions.
The European Union, the IMF and Greek authorities “have made important progress on a policy package that should pave the way for discussions on the conclusion of the first review of the Greek program and debt sustainability” European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva told reporters in Brussels.
“We as the commission will continue to work with the Greek authorities, the other institutions and the member states on the final elements of an overall policy package” Andreeva said, adding that mission chiefs were leaving Athens, without setting a date in which they will return, suggesting the institutions will continue to work from headquarters. The latest assessment of bail out terms for Greece is already six months behind schedule.