Greece Unveils Summary of Reform Proposals to EU

World » SOUTHEAST EUROPE | February 24, 2015, Tuesday // 07:27
Bulgaria: Greece Unveils Summary of Reform Proposals to EU An illustration photo of an artpiece made of cut out Greek euro coins, in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, February 23, 2015. Greece's reform list includes measures to crack down on tax evasion and fuel and tobacco smugling. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The Greek government has cast light on some of the reforms it has drafted in return of agreeing to a bailout extension.

Greece was allowed to put forward its own list of reforms after a Eurogroup meeting on Friday at which finance ministers decided to extend the current program.

Athens' move to unveil the summary of reforms follows its announcement it will not be able to meet the Monday deadline to submit the list. Initially, it did not inform of the reason, but later claimed it had coordinated the delay with Brussels.

Steps to fight tax evasion and fuel and tobacco smuggling are among the measures that Greece is willing to pursue. The government of Alexis Tsipras will also make further cuts in its public sector.

Labor reforms on collective contracts and bargaining agreements are also included.

At the same time Greece will try to tackle the aftermath of years-long austerity on its society, providing uninsured unemployed citizens (whose number bubbled during the crisis) with housing guarantees and free medical care.

Reports by Kathimerini suggest "there were indications the list would also include a reference to privatizations."

An assessment of the list is expected from the so-called "Troika" of lenders - the EU, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank (ECB) - before a Eurogroup discussion on Tuesday. The list needs approval from both lenders and Eurozone finance ministers.

Greek media outlets report there have been internal divisions within the governing SYRIZA party, with "more leftist" members not supporting the list.

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Tags: greece, Alexis Tsipras, Syriza, Eurogroup, EU, International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank

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