Greece says it will pay its debt with the IMF on May 12 – El Financiero

BRUSSELS The Greek Minister Finance , Yanis Varoufakis said here Thursday that his government will pay the debt to the IMF (IMF) on May 12 and will conclude an agreement on the extension of its bailout “in the coming weeks”.

“Of course we will pay the IMF “he said during a luncheon at the European Business Summit (European Business Summit), which concludes on Thursday in Brussels, rejecting rumors that his country lacks liquidity to honor the 750 million euros (about 846 US dollars maturing next week.

With regard to the current negotiations with the European -Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and IMF international creditors to realize the extension of the current Greek rescue, Varoufakis highlighted the “common desire to conclude them as soon as possible “.

” I am confident that we will reach an agreement in the coming days, most likely in the coming weeks. We should have had an agreement since, because there is much common ground between Greece and institutions, “he said.

The minister said that the delay in the negotiations because the parties” have focused too much on the conditions for the next injection of credit Greek economy and not enough on how Greece could recover and develop in a sustainable manner. “

Among the elements of the negotiations that have a consensus between all parties, said the modernization of the Greek public administration and the tax system should be controlled by a “free from political influence, but also coorporativa” body.

He also cited the ideas that “ Greece It should never having to borrow money to pay pensions and salaries” and that “public debt must be controlled and reconfigured”.

However, said ” inequality in Greece has reached unsustainable levels, preventing society to unite in support of a reform agenda “.

” We seek an agreement that has the confidence of our partners but also the confidence of Greek society, “he said.

Varoufakis argued that the bailout program agreed by the previous Greek government and inherited by the far-left party Syriza has been a “failure” and Germany “have to admit it.”

He also warned that the “Greek saga” contains “the seeds of a possible fragmentation of the euro area”, but that development “can be avoided “.

” We have to forge new bonds of trust. It is absurd to allow a common currency divide the Europeans, Greeks and Germans, “he said.