ΑΤΗΕΝS (Reuters) - The head
of the euro zone finance ministers responded positively to Greece's request for
an immediate start to technical talks with international creditors to conclude
the country's current bailout program, a Greek government official said on
Saturday.
"Eurogroup's head
Djisselbloem sent a letter late last night responding to Finance Minister
Varoufakis," the official said.
"He responded
positively to the Greek minister, underlining the need for the negotiations to
continue at the Euroworking Group and between the technical teams in order to
implement the Feb. 20 decision."
Under a deal with its
lenders last month, the New Greek government has until the end of April to
specify the measures it will implement in turn for further aid. Euro zone
finance ministers are meeting on Monday in Brussels to discuss Athens' letter
of pledged reforms.
On Thursday, European
Central Bank President Mario Draghi added to pressure on Greece's government to
implement promised reforms, saying the ECB would resume normal lending to Greek
banks only when it sees Athens is complying with its bailout program and is on
track to receive a favorable review.
He also made clear the
ECB would not raise a limit on Athens' issuance of short-term debt to help
leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras avert a funding crunch, since the EU
treaty barred monetary financing of governments.
Tsipras' office said
the prime minister had a constructive phone conversation with Draghi on
Saturday during which he stressed that he respects the ECB's independence which
is not influenced by political pressure.
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