Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has reportedly spoken with US Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew about the US government convincing the IMF to overcome its objections in the current negotiations.
According to exclusive information made available to Ta Nea, following the summit in Riga where Angela Merkel argued that the IMF much provide its consent for an agreement, the American official appears to have ensured the Greek PM that the USA would take the necessary initiatives to overcome the impasse.
It is suggested that Mr. Lew will bring up the Greek issue during the upcoming G7 meeting that is scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Germany. The telephone contact between Mr. Tsipras and Mr. Lew was publicized by the US Treasury and later confirmed by the Greek government.
After speaking with Mr. Tsipras, Mr. Lew appears to have been convinced of the need to push forward for a solution and agreement. This is evident by the follow-up phone call, with US Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe Daleep Singh, who argued that irrespective of the Brussels Group developments, Washington would do what it can so that the IMF does not block an emerging agreement.
It is particularly important that the US officials have stressed to the Greek government that in spite of what is publicly being said, the IMF is not hostile towards the prospect of an agreement. On the contrary, IMF director Christine Lagarde is said to be willing to do everything within her power to secure a positive outcome.
