Greece presents economic reform plans to Europe

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Source: Reuters

Greece has sent a list of economic reform plans to European institutions and the International Monetary Fund which could serve as "a valid starting point" for talks over its bailout, a source close to the European Commission told the Reuters news agency.

The European Commission confirmed on Twitter on Tuesday that the list of Greek reform measures had been received on time.

Greece needed to present its plans as a condition for extending its bailout programme for an additional four months, in a deal struck with eurozone partners on Friday.

"In the Commission's view, this list is sufficiently comprehensive to be a valid starting point for a successful
conclusion of the review," the source told Reuters.


Read more: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/02/greece-presents-economic-reform-plans-europe-150224082134148.html

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1. Greek creditors back reform plans; Eurogroup to discuss bailout

Brussels (dpa) - Eurozone finance ministers are to discuss Greece's request for a bailout extension later Tuesday, indicating that reform proposals submitted by Athens have been positively received by its creditors.

"Eurogroup conference call on Greece at 14:00 (1300 GMT) this afternoon," the president of the ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, announced on Twitter.

Greece's leftist government, elected on an anti-austerity platform, submitted the proposed new reforms in return for an extension it is seeking for the European portion of its bailout, which is set to expire on Saturday.

Fears are rife that Greece will run out of money and have to leave the eurozone if the bailout comes to an abrupt end. But its European partners have demanded that Athens shows how it plans to meet reforms demanded under the rescue package, before approving an extension.

http://www.dpa-international.com/news/international/greek-creditors-back-reform-plans-eurogroup-to-discuss-bailout-a-44307236.html

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2. Greek Stocks Rally After Creditors’ Positive Signal on Policies

(Bloomberg) -- Greek equities headed for their biggest jump since the start of the month as the nation moved closer to winning an extension of financial aid.

The ASE Index rose 8.3 percent to 925.12 at 2:37 p.m. in Athens, with a gauge of banks rallying 14 percent. The market was closed on Monday for a holiday, with the ASE heading for its highest close since Dec. 8.

The European Commission said the list of new economic measures that Greece submitted is “sufficiently comprehensive.” The commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund are assessing the list before it goes to finance ministers.

The list of commitments, submitted minutes before the midnight deadline on Monday, includes maintaining current state-asset sales, consolidating pension funds to reduce costs and revamping tax collection and administration, according to draft obtained by Bloomberg News.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-24/greek-stocks-rally-after-creditors-positive-signal-on-policies

[Blue_Tires]

3. This Pew survey was enlightening:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/01/27/greek-election-reflects-countrys-differences-with-the-eu/

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4. Hold on, did Italians name their OWN country as least trustworthy? n/t

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5. Two words: Silvio Berlusconi nt

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6. Say, have I told you about those disgusting people who live in red states?

That's kind of funny, that poll.

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7. Merkel MPs in Germany back help for Greece

A clear majority of MPs from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right bloc has backed an extension of financial help for Greece.

In a test ballot before the full vote on Friday, 311 MPs from the CDU/CSU voted in favour with 22 voting against.

The centre-left Social Democrats, junior partners in Mrs Merkel's coalition, voted unanimously in favour.

As the dominant economic power in the EU, Germany's approval for the bailout extension is crucial.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31636212

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8. This is getting interesting. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Greek debt crisis: German MPs back bailout extension

The German parliament has voted to extend financial aid to Greece by another four months.

The extension - approved by creditors last week in exchange for a series of Greek government reforms - needs to be ratified by eurozone members.

Some MPs had expressed doubts about the deal and there is substantial public scepticism but the vote passed easily.

It comes after police and protesters clashed during anti-government demonstrations in Athens on Thursday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31654898