Samaras to meet with IMF chief in Washington
Amid German pressure for fiscal discipline in Greece, freshly cemented by Angela Merkel’s re-election as chancellor, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is traveling to the USA on Saturday seeking support for a more growth-inducing policy mix.
Samaras will meet with IMF chief Christine Lagarde in Washington on Tuesday. The two are expected to discuss the future of the Greek program which runs until next summer and what amount of further funding will be required. The conservative leader is scheduled to hold meetings with US Vice President Joe Biden and other high-ranking officials on Wednesday, before meeting with business and media representatives the following day.
Sources close to the premier said the trip does not signify a major shift in Greek policy.
“Greece will fully implement the commitments it has undertaken; we will not provide fodder for any disagreement between the IMF and the Europeans over the Greek program,” a government official told Kathimerini on condition of anonymity.
Ahead of the trip, Samaras will meet with troika representatives in Athens to discuss any outstanding issues following the inspectors’ meetings with ministry officials – including the fate of defense industries EAS and ELVO, where agreement is still elusive – and the future of the Greek program.
