Moscovici to emphasize no delays

European Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici is expected to bring a clear message with him to Athens on Monday that there should be no delays with the implementation of this summer’s prior actions, which will unlock a sub-tranche of 2.8 billion euros, or the second review of the bailout program.

During his official visit, which will include meetings with the prime minister and the ministers of finance, economy and labor, he will also make it clear this is not the right time to begin a debate about changing the fiscal targets, as the government desires.

“It is in everyone’s interest, but above all Greece’s, that the second review be successfully completed as quickly as possible,” the French commissioner told news agency MNI on Friday, dissociating Britain’s planned EU exit from the Greek program’s progress. “Talks will have to be swift, irrespective of the situation in Britain,” he noted, and admitted that there are hard talks coming this fall regarding the Greek debt. “I am optimistic that the International Monetary Fund will respect the Eurogroup’s decisions of May 25. Of course there will be some challenges about the talks on the measures for the debt in the fall, but I hope that all sides will come to the negotiations with an open mind and a desire for compromise,” Moscovici said.