–IMF Board to Discuss Greek Program Friday, Ireland Thursday
By Heather Scott
WASHINGTON (MNI) – The team from the International Monetary Fund
currently in Lisbon is there working on the annual review of the
nation’s economy, an IMF spokeswoman said Thursday.
Asked if the IMF is discussing a loan program with Portugal,
Caroline Atkinson, director of the IMF External Relations Department,
said, “A small technical team is in Lisbon at the moment — they are
coming back soon — related to the Article IV consultation, and the
discussion of structural reforms.”
Speaking at the regular biweekly press briefing, Atkinson also
noted that the IMF board will discuss the Greek program Friday, and the
Ireland program later Thursday. Statements are expected to be released
after the board vote.
The board vote on the Ireland program was delayed from last week
after the Irish government decided to put the joint EU-IMF aid package
to a vote in parliament, though not legally necessary. The IMF Extended
Fund Facility would total 22.5 billion euro, with another 60 billion
coming from the EU.
The board vote on the second review of the Greek program will allow
disbursement of another 2.5 billion euro as part of the 30 billion
standby arrangement.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
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