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Dijsselbloem harsh on Greece

“I’m sorry to say that the review is not yet concluded, and further work is needed in Greece before the Troika can return to Athens,” said Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem at a news conference following Monday’s Eurogroup meeting.

Mr Dijsselbloem called on Greece and the Troika to do all in their powers to “conclude the negotiations as soon as possible.”

The Eurogroup will once again discuss the issue only on the basis of a “positively completed review,” said Mr Dijsselbloem.

In an earlier interview, Mr Dijsselbloem said that the review was taking “too long” and that he would be asking from the Greek finance minister Yannis Stournaras, “what progress he thinks we can make.”

In his statements to the Eurogroup, Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras highlighted Greece’s achievement of its fiscal targets, including the establishment of a primary economic surplus expected to reach 830 million euros.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Stournaras was optimistic that an agreement will be reached with the Troika by next month’s Eurogroup, with the Greek side presenting alternative proposals and getting the green light to receive the next loan tranche.

At the Eurogroup meeting, German Finance Minister Wolfgang  Schäuble also made statements on Greece, saying, “Greece has made significant progress, but Greece still has a lot to do,” adding that “More efforts are required.”