Gov't & Troika Meeting Ends, Follow Up On Monday

A meeting between Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and representatives of the troika, Greece's lenders, concluded on Friday and according to news reports the two-hour meeting was held in a good climate. In fact some reports are claiming that it was constructive and registered progress and from what we learn both sides will once again meet again on Monday.

Unofficial reports say that Mitsotakis would reintroduce the issue of total number of layoffs for 2013, by requesting that 4,000 employees in defence industries be included in the totals for 2013, if the government proceeds with the entrerprises' restructuring.

A dispatch from the state news agency said that Mitsotakis has fulfilled the government's commitment to the troika of the first wave, which included 12,500 civil servants placed on the mobility scheme (involving either transfers or gradual layoffs). The sources said he was also expected to discuss a draft plan for the second 'wave' of the mobility scheme, including an extension of the target deadline, for civil servants at local government, health and insurance and pension fund agencies.