EU and IMF inspectors are pushing Greece to fully privatise public utilities in exchange for the release of its next tranche of aid and a possible extra loan, Greek newspapers wrote on Saturday without naming sources. The finance ministry declined to comment on the reports, which came as Prime Minister George Papandreou reiterated that a privatisation plan, due to be unveiled in more detail next week, was a key tool to pay off Greece's debts.
According to the daily Eleftherotypia newspaper, inspectors currently in Athens have said the government should fully privatise the Public Power Corporation and two water companies, Thessaloniki Water EYATH and Athens Water company EYDAP. "There have been proposals for the full privatisation of strategic companies like PPC, EYDAP and EYATH," the newspaper wrote, without naming any sources.
"An agreement between the government and the (EU/IMF/ECB) troika, which may be concluded on Wednesday, will be accompanied by the approval and disbursement of the fifth tranche of 12 billion euros," the newspaper wrote, adding that this would also be key to a possible additional bailout.
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