Comprehensive Agreement with Partners by End of May, Gov't Spokesman Says

The government is aiming at a comprehensive agreement with Greece's partners by the end of May or in June, which will cover a wide range of the disputed issues, government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis on Monday said in his first press briefing, which was followed by a briefing of foreign correspondents.

Sakellaridis said that the framework of discussions with the institutions is known, pointing at the importance of liquidity and financing of the economy. 

He said the government wants to reach agreement on the issues where there was a common ground and leave the issues on which there was disagreement for a new round of talks, after an agreement was reached. The spokesman said there was no question of signing a new memorandum and that the government's non-negotiable "red lines" still apply.

"Any progress made in the negotiations, and undoubtedly progress has been made, can constitute a passport to a relaxation of the policy for financing Greek society," he said. The government spokesman stated that there is always the issue of debt, adding that the Greek government will decide when and how it will raise this and that there are many ways to make it sustainable. 

He also pointed out that Greece stands by its commitments while the creditors do not meet their obligations and urged Europe to fulfil its pledges. 

"We want to see an effective promotion of reforms," Sakellaridis said. "This cannot be done under conditions of financial suffocation. So for us it is very important to enhance liquidity directly so as to proceed with reforms that we all agree on and for which there is convergence in the negotiations in Brussels," he added.