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/world-europe-31606986
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Greece debt crisis: Eurozone backs reform plans | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Eurozone finance ministers have approved reform proposals submitted by Greece in order to gain an extension of its bailout, officials say. | Eurozone finance ministers have approved reform proposals submitted by Greece in order to gain an extension of its bailout, officials say. |
The Eurogroup said it had agreed to proceed with national procedures - parliamentary votes in several states to give the deal final approval. | |
The measures proposed by Greece include combating tax evasion and tackling the smuggling of fuel and tobacco. | |
The European Commission said earlier they were a "valid starting point". | |
Eurozone finance ministers - known as the Eurogroup - then held a conference call before giving their backing to the Greek proposals. | |
"We call on the Greek authorities to further develop and broaden the list of reform measures, based on the current arrangement, in close co-ordination with the institutions," the Eurogroup said in a statement. | |
However, International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde was quoted as expressing reservations about the reform proposals. | |
"In some areas like combating tax evasion and corruption I am encouraged by what appears to be a stronger resolve on the part of the new authorities in Athens," she wrote in a letter to the Eurogroup. | |
"In quite a few areas, however, including perhaps the most important ones, the letter is not conveying clear assurances that the government intends to undertake the reforms envisaged." | |
Newly elected Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is trying to balance satisfying the demands of creditors with meeting his pre-election pledges. | |
His government wants to clamp down on tax evasion, corruption and inefficiency in order to fund social spending and alleviate what it calls Greece's "humanitarian crisis". |