ESM approves 6.7 bln euro loan for Greece, disbursement of 5.7 bln
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) board on Tuesday approved a 6.7-billion-euro loan tranche for Greece, the fourth tranche of ESM financial assistance to Greece. In addition, it approved the disbursement of the first sub-tranche of 5.7 billion euros.
According to an ESM announcement, the decision follows the Greek government’s completion of all prior actions and the subsequent approval of the Supplemental Memorandum of Understanding by the ESM Board of Governors. “The tranche will be used for debt service, domestic arrears clearance and for establishing a cash buffer. The Board also approved an amendment to the Financial Assistance Facility Agreement (FFA) between the ESM and Greece.
“The Board of Directors approved for release the first disbursement under this tranche, amounting to 5.7 billion euros. The disbursement is expected to be made by the ESM on Wednesday, 28 March. A further disbursement for arrears clearance of 1 billion euros may be carried out after 1 May 2018. It is dependent on Greece making progress in reducing its stock of arrears and improving the effectiveness of the e-auction system. This subsequent disbursement is subject to a further decision by the ESM Board of Directors.”
ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling said: “Today’s decision by the ESM Board of Directors acknowledges the hard work by the Greek government and Greek people in completing an extensive set of reforms. These include important actions in the field of privatisation, public revenue collection, tax policy and resolution of non-performing loans (NPLs). The fourth and final review of the programme has already started and I am confident that Greece is on track to successfully exit the ESM programme in August 2018, provided that the remaining reforms are implemented by the Greek government”.
The ESM announced noted that with the 5.7 billion euros disbursement approved on Tuesday, ESM financial assistance for Greece will reach 45.9 billion euros, out of a total programme volume of up to 86 billion euros. Together the ESM and the EFSF have so far disbursed 187.77 billion euros to Greece (including the amount approved on Tuesday), making the rescue funds the largest creditors to Greece by far.
The meeting also approved an amendment to the FFA, which will add the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP) as a party to the FFA once the amendment is signed. The amendment also includes obligations for Greece in relation to HCAP, which is a new fund established as part of the ESM programme. It owns and manages key Greek assets to increase their value as well as the quality of services that state-owned enterprises and real estate provide to the Greek public. Its financial results will contribute to debt reduction and to investment in Greece.
Eurogroup’s Mario Centeno welcomes decision
Eurogroup President Mario Centeno welcomed the decision of the European Stability Mechanism’s (ESM) to disburse the loan tranche to Greece with a message on Twitter.
Centeno, who also serves as ex officio chair of the ESM board, said, “I welcome the #ESM Board of Directors decision on the disbursement of E6.7 billion loan tranche to #Greece. A chunk of the funds will be pumped into the Greek economy and will help Greece build up its cash buffer. That’s good news.”
“The tranche will be used for debt service, domestic arrears clearance and for establishing a cash buffer,” ESM said in a statement on Tuesday.
Disbursement ‘one more step on the path of recovery,’ Moscovici tweets
The European Stability Mechanism’s approval of the disbursement of a 5.7-billion-euro sub-tranche of loans to Greece on Tuesday was “one more step on the path of recovery,” European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici said, in a post on Twitter.
“After the positive conclusion of the 3rd review, the ?5.7bn new disbursement to #Greece takes place today. One more step on the path of recovery!” Moscovici tweeted.
Alt. Econ. Minister Charitsis: Disbursement “very significant dev’t for Greek economy”
The disbursement of the 6.7 billion euro loan tranche to Greece is another step towards the country’s exit form the adjustment programme, Alternate Economy and Development Minister Alexis Charitsis said in a tweet on Tuesday.
“Very significant development for Greek economy. One more step on path towards exiting the memorandum,” he said on his personal Twitter account.
Source: ANA-MPA