LUXEMBOURG
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde
urged Greece to do more on all fronts, as lenders continue to review the
implementation of an economic overhaul to meet the demands of its bailout
program
Fiscal structural reforms, financing and debt all require additional
attention, said Ms. Lagarde at a press conference following a meeting of
euro-zone finance ministers Monday Euro's Fate to Be Decided This Week
The euro's near-term fate is likely to be determined by a meeting early this week of euro-zone finance ministers, who are expected to discuss a potential bailout of Spain"Greece is doing a lot," said Ms. Lagarde. "There is no question about it
"But acting is acting, not just talking.... The list of prior actions have to be completed," she said
Eurogroup chairman Jean Claude Juncker echoed the Eurogroup "looks forward to the conclusion of a full agreement on the conditionality," before the next loan disbursement to the Greek government
He said actions agreed by Greece in March should be implemented by Oct. 18 at the latest
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ATHENS--German Chancellor Angela Merkel Tuesday affirmed her support for Greece's continued membership inside the euro zone during a whistle-stop visit to the Greek capital, as tens of thousands of demonstrators protested in the city center against her visit and the tough cutbacks the country is being forced to take in exchange for aid.
Speaking at a nationally-televized news conference with her Greek counterpart, Ms. Merkel told journalists: "Germany wants to be a good partner and a real friend," while also insisting the country stick to its reform commitments. "I hope and I wish that Greece remains as part of the euro," she added. "We really can see light at the end of the tunnel."
Ms. Merkel's visit, the first by the chancellor since the start of Greece's debt crisis some three years ago, is seen as a vote of support in the government of Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who was elected to office at the head of a three-way coalition government in June. But her visit, which comes as the government prepares some 13.5 billion euros ($17.4 billion) worth of new austerity measures, was also met by large protests in Athens.
The protests, which started out peacefully, were marred by violent clashes that broke out Tuesday after several dozen hooded youths battled with police who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
In the city's main Syntagma Square, a few hundred yards from the prime minister's office, the youths hurled rocks at riot police, as well as sticks, petrol bombs and pieces of masonry that they had earlier broken off the marble facades or steps of nearby buildings.
Riot police initially fired stun grenades to deter the protesters but were forced to use tear gas after the groups failed to disperse from the square
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