Greece submits proposed reforms in bid for loan extension
Greece has submitted a list of reform proposals to its bailout creditors, the European Commission says.
The list was received “on time” before a Monday deadline, a spokesman tweeted.
The measures include combating tax evasion and tackling the smuggling of fuel and tobacco.
Newly elected Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is trying to balance satisfying the demands of creditors with meeting his pre-election pledges, say correspondents.
Greece needs approval from international creditors to secure a four-month loan extension.
“In the Commission’s view, this list is sufficiently comprehensive to be a valid starting point for a successful conclusion of the review,” a source close to the European Commission told Reuters news agency.
Sticking points
Drafts of the list will have been seen by European officials in Brussels as they were being drawn up over the weekend, says the BBC’s Mark Lowen in Athens.
But aspects of the plan that require new social spending may well be sticking points with creditors, he adds.
Ending primary home repossessions and providing free medical care and electricity for those who cannot pay may become bones of contention – while the eurozone may insist pension cuts and VAT rises should continue, our correspondent adds.
Eurozone finance ministers are expected to discuss the proposals in a phone conference on Tuesday.
“Provided Greece avows its obligations and provided there is an agreement in the eurogroup [of finance ministers], the German government would be in favour of the proposed extension,” German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was quoted as saying.
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis told CNN that the list of reforms was “very comprehensive”.
“This is a very exciting moment because we are getting to be the co-authors of our fate,” Mr Varoufakis said.
“I can assure you that people on the street are elated by this return to dignity of a people, the Greek people, who for five years have been treated as a debt colony.”
Source: bbc – Greece submits proposed reforms in bid for loan extension
