Finance minister meets IMF chief in Washington
Filippos Sachinidis (photo) met International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Washington on Sunday for the first time since he was appointed finance minister.
Sachinidis said he informed Lagarde that the first-quarter budget figures are within the targets set by Greece?s lenders.
The two also discussed the imminent bank recapitalization program.
?Today, there is more optimism about the country exiting the crisis,? said Sachinidis.
Sources told Sunday?s Kathimerini that the Finance Ministry has rejected suggestions from the IMF that the next inspection from its officials should take place in August or September, rather than June, and that Greece?s next two bailout installments, amounting to 3.3 billion euros, should be released as a single tranche at the end of the summer.
