This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19377666#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Greek PM Samaras holds key Paris talks on bailout | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected to repeat his plea for more time to implement reforms when he meets French President Francois Hollande. | Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected to repeat his plea for more time to implement reforms when he meets French President Francois Hollande. |
| The Paris meeting comes a day after Mr Samaras asked for his country to be given "breathing space" during talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. | |
| Mrs Merkel said she wanted Athens to remain in the eurozone but expected it to stick to the tough bailout terms. | Mrs Merkel said she wanted Athens to remain in the eurozone but expected it to stick to the tough bailout terms. |
| The French leader is now likely to echo that message, correspondents say. | The French leader is now likely to echo that message, correspondents say. |
| Mrs Merkel and Mr Hollande met on Thursday to discuss Greece and urged Athens to stick with the tough reforms. | Mrs Merkel and Mr Hollande met on Thursday to discuss Greece and urged Athens to stick with the tough reforms. |
| On Greece, the two leaders seem to be on the same page, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens reports. | On Greece, the two leaders seem to be on the same page, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens reports. |
| Troika report | Troika report |
| In Paris, Mr Samaras is expected to call for more time to reduce the deficit, given the worse-than-expected recession and months lost this year due to elections, our correspondent says. | In Paris, Mr Samaras is expected to call for more time to reduce the deficit, given the worse-than-expected recession and months lost this year due to elections, our correspondent says. |
| He adds that the Greek government is under pressure to win a concession from Europe so as to placate this tired nation and lessen the likelihood of a destabilising period of social unrest. | He adds that the Greek government is under pressure to win a concession from Europe so as to placate this tired nation and lessen the likelihood of a destabilising period of social unrest. |
| After Friday's talks with Mrs Merkel in Berlin, Mr Samaras said: "Greece will stick to its commitments and fulfil its obligations. In fact, this is already happening. | After Friday's talks with Mrs Merkel in Berlin, Mr Samaras said: "Greece will stick to its commitments and fulfil its obligations. In fact, this is already happening. |
| "We're not asking for more money," he said, adding that Greece needed "time to breathe". | "We're not asking for more money," he said, adding that Greece needed "time to breathe". |
| The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission - the group of donor bodies known collectively as the "troika" - are examining whether Greece is making sufficient progress towards reforming its public finances. | The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission - the group of donor bodies known collectively as the "troika" - are examining whether Greece is making sufficient progress towards reforming its public finances. |
| Greece's continued access to the bailout packages depends on a favourable report from the trio, and an official report is due to be released next month. | Greece's continued access to the bailout packages depends on a favourable report from the trio, and an official report is due to be released next month. |
| Euro bailout | Euro bailout |
| Greece is currently trying to finalise a package of 11.5bn euros ($14.4bn; £9.1bn) of spending cuts over the next two years. | Greece is currently trying to finalise a package of 11.5bn euros ($14.4bn; £9.1bn) of spending cuts over the next two years. |
| It is also being asked to put in place economic and structural reforms, including changes to the labour market and a renewed privatisation drive. | It is also being asked to put in place economic and structural reforms, including changes to the labour market and a renewed privatisation drive. |
| The measures are needed to qualify for the next 33.5bn-euro instalment of its second 130bn-euro bailout. | The measures are needed to qualify for the next 33.5bn-euro instalment of its second 130bn-euro bailout. |
| Greece needs the funds to make repayments on its debt burden. A default could result in the country leaving the euro. | Greece needs the funds to make repayments on its debt burden. A default could result in the country leaving the euro. |
| Mr Samaras is seeking an extension of up to two years for the necessary reforms, in order to provide Greece with the growth needed to improve its public finances. | Mr Samaras is seeking an extension of up to two years for the necessary reforms, in order to provide Greece with the growth needed to improve its public finances. |