The discussion reheated when the Dutch minister of Finance, Jeroen Dijsselbloem , head of the Eurogroup, told his colleagues that they “should be getting ready for a discussion on the (Greek) debt in April”. At the same night, after briefing the journalists, an incident confirmed the rumors. Once the briefing was over, yet the microphones were on, the commissioner for Economy, Pierre Moscovici was heard telling Mr.Dijsselbloem : “I think you've launched a huge debate today, the debt debate” to receive the answer “I did it on purpose”.
Since then it was decided that the “quartet” of institutions which are to evaluate the progress of Greece with regards to the bailout deal would return to Athens and start negotiating with the various ministries.
The German FinMin, W.Schauble attempted to curb the optimism by making his own statements where he clearly noted that:”There is no strong argument for the German members of the parliament and people why they should focus on a lightening of the Greek debt at this moment.”
It should be noted that the IMF has clarified that a haircut of the Greek debt was one of the necessary terms in order to secure its participation to the program, otherwise it would not offer any kind of financial support to Greece.
The French Minister of Finance, M.Sapin stated that he is convinced that the debt can be helped without a haircut as such but through a change in the terms of the payment schedule.
The Greek FinMin, E.Tsakalotos saw the representatives of the institutions on Wednesday and he noted that they had an introductory discussion where the agenda of the negotiations was put.
C.N.