IMF official pleased with Greek programme's implementation

The head of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) delegation in Greece, Poul Thomsen, appeared satisfied with the course of the Greek programme's implementation. In a statement on the sidelines of the spring conference of the IMF and the World Bank in Washington, Thomsen said that the Greek government is observing the targets that have been agreed, stressing that "the glass is now more than half full".

Thomsen further said that the troika "had never approved" the merger between the National Bank and Eurobank and presented it as "no right of involvement" in the affairs of two private entities. He also appeared satisfied with the recapitalization of the banking sector, but said that he is not pleased with the taxation administration and that the rich and the self-employed professionals must pay more and that there must be greater autonomy for the tax auditing apparatus. Referring to the public sector issue, Thomsen expressed the view that unproductive staff must go, while stressing at the same time that more measures will not be taken. Lastly, he said that the IMF's board will convene for the Greek programme in the second half of May.

SOURCE: ATHENS NEWS AGENCY