Greece's Tsipras says IMF loan repayment significant for economy

ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday said an earlier than expected repayment of a bailout debt to the International Monetary Fund would create new favourable conditions for the country's economy.

"We are gaining points of freedom," Tsipras said during an interview with Greece's Antenna TV.

Greece this week plans to file a request to the euro zone's bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) seeking its consent for the early repayment of the loans, sources told Reuters earlier Monday.