FinMin Tsakalotos, EU Institutions Hold Meeting on New Privatisation Fund
Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and the EU institutions representing Greece's creditors on Monday concluded a meeting to discuss the composition of a supervisory board for the new Privatisation Fund that Greece must set up as part of the third bailout programme. The meeting also covered other issues relating to privatisations, such as Parliament's ratification of the deal for Hellinikon, the "package" of state companies that will be handed over to the new Privatisation Fund and the Egnatia Highway.
High-ranking sources within the finance minister later reported that no deal was reached during the two-hour meeting "but we are close." The meeting was part of the effort to complete milestones required to finalise the first review of the programme. The two sides were also "close" with respect to the allocation of 5 pct of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) shares, a government source reported.
A new meeting between the government and institutions is planned on Tuesday, with Economic Minister George Stathakis taking part, while International Monetary Fund (IMF) Athens mission head Delia Velculescu will also join the negotiations.
ANA-MPA