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The Commission services have carefully reviewed the Greek government's reform proposals sent to you yesterday as President of the Eurogroup. This has been preceded by constructive exchanges over the week-end between the Greek authorities and representatives of the European Commission and the other institutions. In the view of the Commission, this list is sufficiently comprehensive to be a valid starting point for a successful conclusion of the review as called for by the Eurogroup at its last meeting. We are encouraged by the commitment to combat tax evasion and corruption, inter alia through efforts to modernise tax and custom administrations, as well as to pursue reforms to modernise the public administration. The Commission also notes the commitments in the area of statistics and considers it of vital importance that the institutional and operational independence of ELSTAT and its senior management be respected at all times. Further specification of the reforms in these and other key areas is expected to be provided and agreed before the end of April, in line with last week's Eurogroup statement. The Commission looks forward to working with the new administration to elaborate what are at the moment still general commitments and transform these into clear policy actions. The Commission underlines its willingness to continue to provide technical assistance in key areas to assist in the design and implementation of policies. As part of this process, the Commission underlines the importance of Greece fully respecting its commitment undertaken at the Eurogroup of 20 February 2015 to refrain from any roll back of measures and unilateral changes to the policies and structural reforms that would negatively impact fiscal targets, economic recovery or financial stability, as assessed by the institutions. Determined and swift implementation of reform commitments will be key for a successful conclusion of the review.
In the view of the Commission, this list is sufficiently comprehensive to be a valid starting point for a successful conclusion of the review as called for by the Eurogroup at its last meeting.
We are encouraged by the commitment to combat tax evasion and corruption, inter alia through efforts to modernise tax and custom administrations, as well as to pursue reforms to modernise the public administration. The Commission also notes the commitments in the area of statistics and considers it of vital importance that the institutional and operational independence of ELSTAT and its senior management be respected at all times.
Further specification of the reforms in these and other key areas is expected to be provided and agreed before the end of April, in line with last week's Eurogroup statement. The Commission looks forward to working with the new administration to elaborate what are at the moment still general commitments and transform these into clear policy actions.
The Commission underlines its willingness to continue to provide technical assistance in key areas to assist in the design and implementation of policies. As part of this process, the Commission underlines the importance of Greece fully respecting its commitment undertaken at the Eurogroup of 20 February 2015 to refrain from any roll back of measures and unilateral changes to the policies and structural reforms that would negatively impact fiscal targets, economic recovery or financial stability, as assessed by the institutions.
Determined and swift implementation of reform commitments will be key for a successful conclusion of the review.
Yikes! #IMF not on board with approval of #Greece list. Excerpt from letter from @Lagarde to @J_Dijsselbloem pic.twitter.com/2nx20p8RV2— Peter Spiegel (@SpiegelPeter) febrero 24, 2015
Yikes! #IMF not on board with approval of #Greece list. Excerpt from letter from @Lagarde to @J_Dijsselbloem pic.twitter.com/2nx20p8RV2
It's simply that the IMF isn't hung up about debt but about neo-lib 'reforms'. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
But from what I know Lagard buys 100% into Expansionary austerity.
Yes, while making occasional token mouth-noises to the contrary, I suppose to reassure attentive observers that she is not really as stupid as her actions suggest.
A bit like when sadists say 'This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you'.
Another well-coiffed confabulator of the first water... 'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
@WhelanKarl: So what exactly is "stabilise the payments culture" a euphemism for? http://t.co/laBUBhVmoX— Karl Whelan (@WhelanKarl) febrero 24, 2015
@WhelanKarl: So what exactly is "stabilise the payments culture" a euphemism for? http://t.co/laBUBhVmoX
Our initial impression is that the document covers a wide range of reform areas and in this sense, it is sufficiently comprehensive to be a valid starting point for a successful conclusion of the review. However, as we expected it was not possible for the authorities to elaborate on concrete proposals and commitments that can be assessed by the institutions in respect to growth, public finances and financial stability. Given the very limited time a vailable, this is understand
The previous gov't has also been in arrears to hospitals, pharmacies and utilities.
While these constitute debt and obligations for the state, use of such measures allowed them to achieve balanced budgets 2 or 3 years ago. I believe that most of the payments have been made to hospitals and utilities, not so sure about all workers.
Long live "the Institutions"! It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II
What are the consequences if the IMF says "hey this is not OK"?
They don't say that for the moment, but they reserve the right to do so in the next round of negotiations.
I don't know if the complete Lagarde letter has already been linked to on one of the different threads here, but here is the whole package of statements and letters as pdf in English and German for the Bundestag's information. Lagarde's letter is on page 20. She definitely still claims veto power.
"...the commitments outlined by the authorities (Greece) differ from existing programme material in a number of areas. In such cases, we will have to assess during the review whether measures which are not accepted by the authorities are replaced with measures of equal or better quality in terms of achieving the objectives of the program me."
To me this reads that Varoufakis even convinced Draghi to support the Syriza programme somewhat. "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin
The Commission services have carefully reviewed the Greek government's reform proposals
LOL, it seems more like they rushed to set the tone by releasing their judgement first (and a good thing they did it before the IMF). *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
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