On Thursday, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and incoming European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker discussed Greece’s proposal for exiting the loan program and the pending troika review. The discussion took place on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Brussels. As the troika review approaches, the two men discussed Europe’s role in Greece’s bailout exit. Samaras said he wants a “prudent” exit from the loan program. “We are negotiating closely with our lenders, the next day after the end of the program, a prudent exit to normality,” Samaras said, according to a Kathimerini daily report. Feeling the rising pressure placed on the coalition government by the opposition, Samaras wants to see the International Money Fund out of the bailout program by the end of the year. However, sources indicate that Athens is ready to accept a precautionary credit line from Greece’s eurozone partners. Greece aims to return 11 billion euros in residual funds from the recapitalization of Greek banks to reduce the sovereign debt. Athens plans to keep these funds aside as a cushion for when the government taps bond markets. Government officials are optimistic about the results of the European Central Bank stress tests on Greek banks this weekend and say that little or no funding will be required.
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