The debt inspectors from the European Central Bank, European Commission and International Monetary Fund, known as the troika, were meeting the new government, whose coalition partners want to persuade the country's rescue creditors to ease some of the strict terms of its bailout.
The inspection visit is the first in several months due to political turmoil in Greece, sparked by the vicious financial crisis that has left the country dependent on billions of euros worth of international bailout loans from other European countries using the euro, and the IMF.
Ahead of the government's policy statement, which Samaras is to present in Parliament Friday evening, the coalition has said it advocates easing some terms of the bailout agreement, including freezing public sector layoffs and repealing some of the tax hikes imposed over the past two years.
Stournaras' televised swearing in ceremony at the presidential mansion was the first time Samaras appeared in public since undergoing eye surgery nearly two weeks ago, shortly after forming a coalition government with another two parties following inconclusive national elections.
The inspection visit is the first in several months due to political turmoil in Greece, sparked by the vicious financial crisis that has left the country dependent on billions of euros worth of international bailout loans from other European countries using the euro, and the IMF.
Ahead of the government's policy statement, which Samaras is to present in Parliament Friday evening, the coalition has said it advocates easing some terms of the bailout agreement, including freezing public sector layoffs and repealing some of the tax hikes imposed over the past two years.
Stournaras' televised swearing in ceremony at the presidential mansion was the first time Samaras appeared in public since undergoing eye surgery nearly two weeks ago, shortly after forming a coalition government with another two parties following inconclusive national elections.
 |
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.sfgate.com |