In an interview on CNN Greece, Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Amanatidis expressed the assessment that the negotiations with the institutions will be concluded by 20 February.
Mr. Amanatidis said it was a great success for Greece that, for the first time, the International Monetary Fund, in the person of Christine Lagarde, acknowledged the sacrifices of the Greek people.
Regarding the Greek economy, he said that the indicators are more positive than the government had planned, adding that this is why the latest IMF report does not provide an accurate reflection of the Greek economy. This fact, he stressed, prompted even the president of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, to be critical of the report.
Mr. Amanatidis told CNN that the Grexit scenarios brought back to centre stage by Wolfgang Schäuble are aimed at the domestic German audience, pointing out the opposition to these scenarios from the German social democrats, who were critical of them in their announcement.
Regarding the Turkish provocations in the Aegean, Mr. Amanatidis noted that Greece is keeping a close eye on Ankara's moves and handling them effectively, carefully and with composure, defending Greece's national rights. In his assessment, he told CNN, Erdogan's aggressive rhetoric is mainly for domestic consumption.
Regarding the Cyprus issue, Mr. Amanatidis underscored that a solution is feasible, as the Geneva meetings have created a positive dynamic.
Referring to the non-extradition of the eight Turkish military personnel, he stressed that Greece has rule of law and functions accordingly.
February 12, 2017