Eurozone finance ministers have
approved reform proposals submitted by Greece as a condition for extending its
bailout by four months, officials say. The Eurogroup said it had agreed to begin national procedures - parliamentary
votes in several states to give the deal final approval. The measures proposed by Greece include combating tax evasion and tackling
the smuggling of fuel and tobacco. The European Commission said earlier they were a "valid starting point". Eurozone finance ministers - known as the Eurogroup - then held a conference
call before giving their backing to the Greek proposals. "We call on the Greek authorities to further develop and broaden the list of
reform measures, based on the current arrangement, in close co-ordination with
the institutions," the Eurogroup said in
a statement. The agreement had "averted an immediate crisis", said European Commissioner
for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici. "It does not mean we approve those reforms, it means the approach is serious
enough for further discussion," he added. 'Lack of
clear assurances' .
However, International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Christine Lagarde was quoted
as expressing reservations about the reform proposals. "In some areas like combating tax evasion and corruption I am encouraged by
what appears to be a stronger resolve on the part of the new authorities in
Athens," she wrote in a letter to the Eurogroup. "In quite a few areas, however, including perhaps the most important ones,
the letter is not conveying clear assurances that the government intends to
undertake the reforms envisaged."
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