Greece is willing to commit to a joint statement with its euro zone partners, emphasizing a reform process aimed at improving growth and addressing humanitarian issues. The government plans to implement reforms to tackle corruption and tax evasion, while ensuring respect for financial obligations to its creditors. An extension of the current loan agreement, potentially as a four-month interim program, is being discussed, with ongoing technical assistance from the European Commission.

1. » Print
This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to colleagues,
clients or customers, use the Reprints tool at the top of any article or visit: www.reutersreprints.com.
Financing proposal Greece says it could have
accepted
Tue, Feb 17 2015
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Following is a draft of a joint statement by Greece and its euro zone partners which Greek officials said
Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis had been willing to sign on Monday after discussing it with EU Economics Commissioner
Pierre Moscovici.
The European Commission said Moscovici "contributed ideas" in a discussion with Varoufakis but stressed that there was no
Commission proposal separate from that put forward by the Eurogroup. Greek rejected a draft proposed by its chairman.
The Commission did not comment on the draft below:
"Draft 15 Feb - close of business
Today, the Eurogroup took stock of the current situation in Greece, based on intensive dialogue between the new Greek
authorities and the Institutions.
The Greek authorities have expressed their commitment to a broader, socially just and stronger reform process aimed at durably
improving growth prospects. In particular, the Hellenic Government commits to implementing long overdue reforms to tackle
corruption and tax evasion, and upgrade the public administration. It announced its intention to take urgent action to ensure a
fairer and more effective tax system and to contain the humanitarian crisis. It will ensure that any new measures do not reverse
existing commitments and are fully funded. It will refrain from unilateral action and will work in close agreement with its
European and international partners.
Greece will fully respect its commitments to partners to ensure sound and sustainable public finances, by reaching and then
sustaining sizeable primary balances. The feasibility of reaching the fiscal target for 2015 will be considered in light of evolving
economic circumstances. Measures for reducing the debt burden and achieving a further credible and sustainable reduction of
the Greek debt-to-GDP ratio should be considered in line with the commitment of the Eurogroup in November 2012.
At the same time, the Greek authorities reiterated their unequivocal commitment to the financial obligations to all their creditors.
The above forms a basis for an extension of the current loan agreement, which could take the form of a [four-month]
intermediate programme, as a transitional stage to a new contract for growth for Greece, that will be deliberated and concluded
during this period.
When considered useful, the European Commission will provide technical assistance to Greece to strengthen and accelerate
the implementation of reforms.
The Eurogroup invites the Institutions to continue technical work with the Greek authorities, including to identify intermediate
financing needs, how they will be covered and the appropriate conditionalities. The Institutions will report to the Eurogroup by
[21] February."
(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Alastair Macdonald; @macdonaldrtr)
© Thomson Reuters 2015. All rights reserved. Users may download and print extracts of content from this website for their own
personal and non-commercial use only. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or
similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters and its logo are
registered trademarks or trademarks of the Thomson Reuters group of companies around the world.
Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant
interests.
This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to colleagues,
clients or customers, use the Reprints tool at the top of any article or visit: www.reutersreprints.com.
Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reute... http://www.reuters.com/assets/print?aid=USKBN0LL0H620150217
1 sur 1 20/02/2015 14:44