BRUSSELS (MNI) – The European Commission expressed confidence
Monday that Athens’ decision to extend the offer period for its planned
debt buyback could increase take-up of the deal.
“There is still scope for additional tenders by domestic and
international investors,” said a spokesman for the Commission.
The success of the buyback operations is an essential pre-requisite
for unblocking a vital aid tranche to Greece and for a package of debt
reduction measures agreed by Eurozone governments and the International
Monetary Fund two weeks ago.
Sources told MNI that Greece has so far received bids of over E27
billion. But the authorities are hoping to reopen the books in a bid
to attract a couple billion euros more.
Greece’s international bailout partners will meet in Brussels on
Thursday to consider the success of the buyback operation and whether or
not to approve the blocked aid tranche.
–Brussels Newsroom, +324-952-28374; pkoh@mni-news.com
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