PM, FinMin in diplomatic push to sell measures

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis are launching a diplomatic offensive, with calls to several European counterparts, in a bid to lay the groundwork for another important Eurogroup summit on Monday when Varoufakis is to set out six economic reforms in a bid to secure rescue funding.

Tsipras set the ball rolling on Thursday, sources said, by calling European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Greek officials may send their peers a document with details on the six proposed measures on Friday to allow time before the Eurogroup for the exchange of ideas and possible corrections, Kathimerini understands. The proposals include a humanitarian aid package, an overhaul of the public administration, a payment scheme for tax debtors, and an overhaul of the tax collection system, government officials have indicated. It is thought that creditors will push Athens for revenue-raising measures such as privatizations.

Sources close to Tsipras spoke of a “relatively positive but extremely fluid climate.” They expressed the hope, however, that the proposed measures will succeed in clinching a portion of a 7.2-billion-euro pending loan tranche.

Tsipras is set to continue diplomatic efforts next week and is due in Brussels on Wednesday and Paris on Thursday.