IMF: Differences narrowing with Europe over Greece debt relief

WASHINGTON: Europe still needs to provide a debt relief plan for Greece before the IMF can agree to more financing, but the sides are "exploring all options" and differences are narrowing, an IMF official said Thursday.

"Everyone is optimistic that agreement can be reached and hopefully can be reached at the next Eurogroup meeting" in mid-June, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice.

However, disagreements remain over Europe's forecasts for growth and budget surpluses in Greece after 2022, and the fund is "looking for more realism in the assumptions," Rice told reporters.