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Thomsen complains to IMF on Greece

The IMF's European Department director Poul Thomsen informed the members of the IMF Council on complaints of the institutions' representatives that have no access to Greek ministers or even the Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis.

 

Thomsen reported that progress has only been achieved in procedural issues, and not the important ones the resolution of which will determine the financial aid to Greece. "The situation is far from being ideal," Thomsen was quoted as saying.

According to press sources, Thomsen reportedly said that he has no idea of the real situation regarding liquidity and that is why he does not express an opinion on debt sustainability. "The worst of all is that the experts of the Brussels Group do not have access to ministers. They cannot see ministers. The representatives of the institutions cannot know if what they are told by the officials in Athens reflect the decisions taken by ministers or they are the positions of civil servants," the head of the European Department of the IMF reportedly said.

According to another source, "progress has been made, but there is a problem with liquidity and the procedure, although the last few days it has improved." According to Thomsen, an in principle agreement on bad loans has been achieved.

The two sides have disagreed on labour issues, pensions, 2015 fiscal policy and administrative reform. Thomsen dismissed reports that he has asked for a debt haircut. He noted that the repayment of the IMF loan, last Tuesday, was a positive development and argued that things will be even more difficult in June, July and August. He also expressed the hope that the Brussels Group will convene on Monday and progress will be achieved.