Inspectors from the European Commission, the European Central Bank, the European Stability Mechanism and the International Monetary Fund are expected to return to Athens this week following a break for Catholic Easter to continue negotiations on Greece’s bailout program.
Creditors ask from Greece to cover an estimated fiscal gap of 1 percent of GDP, or 1.8 billion euros, by 2018. This would bring the government closer to achieving a primary budget surplus of 3.5 percent of GDP in 2018, as agreed in July 2015.
The Greek government has proposed tax and contribution hikes and new levies to meet the target. However, creditors insist on pension reforms that would cut pensions substantially.
Athens hopes for a quick completion of the evaluation in order to receive a 5.7 billion euros loan tranche and start negotiations on debt easing.
Greece and lenders are aiming to conclude negotiations in time for the relevant measures to pass in parliament before eurozone finance ministers convene on April 22.
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