US asks Greece to “fully commit” to technical negotiations

The American Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs Nathan Sheets who recently met with Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis in Washington, has called Greece to “fully commit” to the technical negotiations in order to finalize the reforms that need to be implemented, so that more aid can be paid out to support the economy.

Mr. Varoufakis, who met with the IMF’s Christine Lagarde earlier, presented the Greek government positions regarding the negotiations and reforms and discussed them with Under Secretary Sheets and top economic and national security adviser Caroline Atkinson. In his meeting with Mrs. Atkinson, the Finance Minister asked that the USA intervenes in order to minimize the chance of friction, with the American adviser calling for a quick conclusion of the ongoing negotiations.

On Tuesday Mr. Varoufakis will travel to Paris and Brussels, where he is expected to meet with European CommissionerPierre Moscoviciand OECD chiefAngel Gurria. The intention is to come to an agreement on the Greek government’s reform program by Thursday.