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Greece says IMF demands undermine accord

As bailout talks stall, Greece is accusing the IMF of undermining efforts to reach an accord over the European nation's funding options.

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Source: AAP


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Greece is accusing the International Monetary Fund of undermining efforts to broker an accord over the country's funding options, after talks to unlock fresh bailout aid stalled.

Days of on-off talks between Greece and its international lenders have hit a snag over creditors who want Athens to introduce contingent measures in case it misses fiscal targets to reach a primary surplus by 2018.

At stake are more than five billion euros ($A7.29 billion) in financial aid needed to pay IMF loans maturing in June and July.

Athens would be willing to discuss the introduction of a mechanism to automatically cut spending, government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili said.

"The IMF is making demands which go beyond what was agreed. These demands undermine efforts by both the Greek government and European institutions," Gerovasili said.

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Athens says its laws prevent it from legislating on a hypothetical event, but it has offered to discuss a mechanism of automatic cutbacks in the event of a fiscal fallout.

"The insistence of the IMF is affirmed by its refusal to accept the proposal of the Greek government to introduce a fiscal correction mechanism ... and that despite the fact that it met all preconditions set by the Eurogroup last week," Gerovasili said, referring to euro zone finance ministers.


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