Greece: Tsipras sends letter to creditors

epa04624276 Greek Prime Minister and head of SYRIZA party, Alexis Tsipras addresses his party lawmakers during a meeting of their parliamentary group at the Parliament in Athens, Greece, 17 February 2015. Alexis Tsipras during his speech nominated former conservative minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos as candidate for Greece's President of the Republic. EPA/SIMELA PANTZARTZI

epa04624276 Greek Prime Minister and head of SYRIZA party, Alexis Tsipras addresses his party lawmakers during a meeting of their parliamentary group at the Parliament in Athens, Greece, 17 February 2015. Alexis Tsipras during his speech nominated former conservative minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos as candidate for Greece's President of the Republic. EPA/SIMELA PANTZARTZI

Published Jul 1, 2015

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Brussels - Euro zone officials said a letter sent to creditors by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday contained conditions for Athens' acceptance of a loan offer that at least some governments would find hard to accept.

The letter, seen by Reuters on Wednesday, said Greece would accept terms published by the European Commission on Sunday but with a number of amendments, including maintaining a reduction on value-added tax for Greek islands and maintaining a pension supplement for the richest beneficiaries for the time being.

“There are still a lot of loose ends,” one euro zone official said. “The letter mentions, for example, reform of the labour market from autumn. It's just one sentence, not more.

“I don't think the Eurogroup still believes those promises just like that. By the way, they're asking for the extension of a programme which has already expired.”

The letter seeks an extension of the bailout which expired overnight.

The Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers will hold a conference call at 15h30 GMT on Wednesday to discuss the Greek issue.

Reuters

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