Greek government agrees in principle with creditors on pension reform –comes closer on NPL issue; differences on tax-free threshold remain mission chiefs left Athens yesterday, talks to continue at a technical level.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras launched a vocal defence of the plan in parliament, saying that the country had no choice but to reform a pension system which had created chronic deficits and would collapse if left unchanged.

Labour, Social Insurance and Social Solidarity Minister George Katrougalos said on Thursday the pension reform bill will be voted in early February, as the parliamentary procedure cannot be completed within January.