Letter by President Dijsselbloem to President Tajani concerning the plenary statement by the President of the Eurogroup as regards the second review of the economic adjustment programme for Greece / Eurogroup Meeting, Valletta, 7 April 2017

Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem reported on the progress of the second review of the economic adjustment programme for Greece taking place in Greece in March 2017 between Greece and its international creditors (European Commission, European Central Bank, European Stability Mechanism and the International Monetary Fund).

At the Eurogroup meeting held on the 7 April 2017 in Malta President Dijsselbloem reported on further progress but no formal breakthrough in ongoing discussions with Greece.

The Eurogroup was briefed on developments in the intense talks between the European Commission, the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Stability Mechanism and the Greek government over the previous month.

The institutions and the Greek authorities reached an agreement on the main elements of the policy reforms required to move ahead with the second review of the current macroeconomic adjustment programme, which is necessary to unlock further financial assistance to Greece. This agreement refers to the size, timing and sequencing of the reforms.

The institutions will continue technical work in Athens as soon as possible to swiftly conclude a staff level agreement.

ESO: Background information: Eurogroup meeting, 20 March 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/eurogroup-meeting-20-march-2017/

Eurogroup: Statement, 20.03.17: Remarks by J. Dijsselbloem following the Eurogroup meeting of 20 March 2017 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/03/20-eurogroup-jd-remarks/

ESO: Background information: The Greek debt crisis: Key sources http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-greek-debt-crisis-key-sources/

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Kathimerini, 05.04.17: Tusk says Greece, lenders close to concluding bailout review http://www.ekathimerini.com/217444/article/ekathimerini/news/tusk-says-greece-lenders-close-to-concluding-bailout-review

Kathimerini, 08.04.17: Tsipras pins hopes on debt relief http://www.ekathimerini.com/217564/article/ekathimerini/news/tsipras-pins-hopes-on-debt-relief

The Guardian, 08.04.17: Greek gloom as economy stalls amid latest bout of EU wrangling https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/apr/08/greece-last-protesters-diehards-rise-up-compromise-syriza-eurozone

European Commission: DG Economic and Financial Affairs: EU Economic Situation: Economies of the Member States: Greece https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/economic-performance-and-forecasts/economic-performance-country/greece_en

IMF: IMF and Greece https://www.imf.org/external/country/grc/

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Politico, 07.04.17: Greek bailout talks inch forward http://www.politico.eu/article/breakthrough-in-greek-bailout-talks/

EUObserver, 07.04.17: Eurogroup makes 'progress' on Greek deal https://euobserver.com/economic/137543

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2017: Deal between Athens and its creditors http://www.eurotopics.net/en/177452/deal-between-athens-and-its-creditors

Kathimerini, 10.04.17: Merkel to receive Lagarde in Berlin for talks on Greek debt http://www.ekathimerini.com/217575/article/ekathimerini/business/merkel-to-receive-lagarde-in-berlin-for-talks-on-greek-debt

Council of the European Union: Greece's third economic adjustment programme http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/financial-assistance-eurozone-members/greece-programme/

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