Greece confident of agreeing bailout deal next week

Greece should reach a deal with its eurozone partners and the IMF next week on a package of reforms, which will help to unlock remaining bailout funds, the country’s economy minister said yesterday.

“I think talks will lead to a deal next week. The agreement will close on (Greek Orthodox) Easter week,” George Stathakis told Skai TV.

Last week, Athens presented a list of reforms to its official creditors in a bid to show it is committed to living up to pledges of financial discipline and is worthy of aid as it scrambles to meet loan payments amid a cash crunch.

The list of proposed reforms Athens has presented to the Brussels Group includes revenues of €1.5bn from privatisations this year, including the long-term lease of 14 regional airports and the sale of its largest port, Piraeus.

Mr Stathakis said the government had no plans to sell a majority 67% stake in Piraeus Port Authority but would seek a joint venture with investors in which it would retain a substantial stake. Last week, the country’s deputy prime minister said during a visit to China that Athens would sell its majority stake in Piraeus Port, where China’s port operator Cosco Group is already an investor and short-listed for the sale.

Reuters