Schaeuble meets Stournaras, rules out relaxation of bailout conditions

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble once again repeated that Greece must fully meet its obligations under the terms of bailout loans during a meeting with visiting Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras here on Tuesday, a German finance ministry statement said. The same announcement also stressed that decisions concerning future assistance to Greece under the bailout programme will be taken after a crucial report on Greece's compliance with bailout conditions is presented by the European Central Bank, European Commission and International Monetary Fund (IMF) troika.

The meeting took place in a "friendly and cooperative atmosphere," the statement said, with Stournaras briefing Schaeuble on Greece's progress in meeting its obligations under the second bailout programme. "The implementation of fiscal and structural measures is being assessed at this time by members of the troika. Current plans assume that the report can be presented in October," the German finance ministry said. It said that a decision to disburse further financial aid to Greece will be taken after the troika presents its report and will hinge on Greece fully meeting its obligations.

Stournaras began his visit to Berlin on Tuesday with a meeting with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, as talks expectedly focused on the eurozone crisis, the punishing recession in Greece and German efforts to deal with the unprecedented economic downturn in Europe after the post-war period.

Stournaras' visit and high-level talks come after Prime Minister Antonis Samaras visit to Berlin last week week, contacts viewed as "jump-starting" relations between Athens and Berlin on vis-a-vis the eurozone crisis, especially as it affects Greece's economy and ability to service its debt.

SOURCE: ATHENS NEWS AGENCY