ECB payment on Aug 20 is feasible with the first ESM tranche, EU Commission spokeswoman says

Gazzetta team 28 Ιουλίου 2015 - 14:58

The conclusion of the negotiations for the third aid program in the second half of August is feasible, deputy spokeswoman of the European Commission Mina Andreeva said on Tuesday.

She added that based on this schedule, the necessary parliamentary ratification procedures can take place in time for the ECB to be repaid on August 20 with the first tranche from the ESM.

"Progress is still being made," she stressed regarding the negotiations. Andreeva said that the cooperation with Athens is working "smoothly" and added that the head of the European Commission's mission in Athens Declan Costello arrived on Monday and leads the ongoing negotiations.

She underlined that further reforms will be needed on the side of Greece so that the first disbursement is 'unlocked'.

Regarding claims by former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis that General Secretariat of Revenues was controlled by the "troika" and "Brussels", she said that they are "unfounded."