ATHENS: Greece has agreed with its lenders on key labour reforms, spending cuts and energy issues, moving closer to clinching a deal before a meeting of eurozone finance ministers on April 7, sources close to the talks said on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the European Commission said the EU executive could not confirm the report.

Negotiations between Athens, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund – which has yet to decide if it will participate in Greece’s current bailout — have dragged on for months, rekindling fears of a new crisis in Europe.

The latest progress is expected to help allow the return of EU and IMF mission chiefs to Athens in the coming days to finalise details with Greek finance and labour ministers before the Eurogroup meeting in Malta. Talks are now held through teleconferences.

The main focus of the talks has been pension cuts, energy and labour reforms.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2017