Despite the optimism regarding the progress of negotiations with the troika for the 2014 fiscal gap, rumors circulating in Brussels suggest that unless all unresolved issues are addressed, the troika will not be returning to Athens.
Even though some of the troika’s technical teams are already in Athens, it will be very difficult for the Minister of Finances Yannis Stournaras to come to an agreement with the troika by the Eurogroup scheduled for the 17th of February.
On the one hand there are many unresolved issues that the Greek government has not yet addressed, while on the other differences of opinion between the EU and IMF further complicate matters. Many estimate that the troika will not be returning to Athens any time soon.
Amongst the unresolved issues is the deregulation of the sale of fresh milk and non-prescription medicine, which the government is planning on including in a bill. Nevertheless, officers at the Ministry of Finances suggest that should the primary surplus for 2013 be more than 1.5 billion euros, then there will essentially be no fiscal gap in 2014.
On the other hand, some political analysts have suggested that the troika will only agree to resume negotiations if the Greek government can demonstrate its determination to carry out the necessary reforms.
