The solution of an interim agreement has been rejected for now, as parties hope to achieve a comprehensive agreement after the international lenders return to Greece on April 18, immediately after the IMF spring meetings in Washington, to continue talks before a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers on April 22.
“Progress has been made on the issues needed in order to have a deal” Finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos said. Talks will resume this weekend in Washington where representatives from the European Commission and the IMF will meet to cover the ground. This could result to a final solution, if no new disagreements come up between the two institutions.
“We will conclude to a staff-level agreement shortly before the Eurogroup meeting” Mr. Tsakalotos said. He added that many small issues remained open, so there wasn’t enough time to have a first draft ready by Tuesday.
Creditors are seeking a Greek commitment to budget savings, centered on overhauls of pensions and income taxes, worth about €5.4 billion, or 3% of Greece’s gross domestic product.