Greece seeks swift bailout review as IMF role still unclear

Athens, Jan 18: Greece's finance minister says his government is pressing lenders for a swift review of the country's bailout program, warning that delays would prolong market uncertainty and make fiscal targets more difficult.

Euclid Tsakalotos said he wanted negotiations with bailout inspectors to last "weeks not months." He spoke today after returning from a six-city tour of European Union countries that included talks with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

Tsakalotos headed dramatic negotiations last year between Greece's left-wing government and rescue lenders for a third bailout that brought Greece to the brink of an exit from the euro currency. The International Monetary Fund has still not said whether it will continue as a full bailout partner, but Tsakalotos insisted Athens would welcome participation despite the IMF's "higher bar" on fiscal discipline.

AP