A Greek debt deal may remain elusive, but the International Monetary Fund says it is confident Athens will not default on its financial obligations
ADVERTISEMENTA Greek debt deal may remain elusive, but the International Monetary Fund says it is confident Athens will not default on its financial obligations.
The IMF is still expecting to receive its crucial repayment, due next Tuesday.
“We are expecting the payment to be made June 30th, and that’s what the Greek authorities have said publicly,” said spokesman Gerry Rice.
Rice also addressed views that the IMF is playing the “bad cop.”
“The institutions, the three institutions – European Commission, European Central Bank, IMF – are all on the same page, have presented a common position,” he told reporters.
IMF negotiators have raised doubts about the principle of hiking Greek taxes to finance pensions.
There is also little confidence about the capacity to collect revenues.
Speaking from Washington, euronews correspondent Stefan Grobe said: “Some analysts here believe that the IMF is taking a harder stance on Greece than on other countries.
“The reason might be political. IMF chief Christine Lagarde is up for re-election next year and has to show skeptical board members from emerging countries that she can be tough on Europe.”
