1st LD Writethru: Greek gov't submits list of reforms to Eurogroup for approval: ministers

The Greek government submitted its list of proposed economic reforms for Eurogroup's approval on Tuesday to clear the way for the implementation of the bridge deal clinched last Friday, Greek government ministers said.

The catalogue of reforms was expected to lead to the ratification of the agreement by national assemblies on the extension of the Greek four-year bailout to June until a final deal on the debt crisis is reached with the new government.

The list of reforms was a prerequisite for the review - scheduled for April under Friday's deal - so that Athens can count on more financial aid to keep afloat until renegotiating a further debt load relief.

Greek government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis laconically confirmed to Greek media at noon on Tuesday that the finalized list sent to Brussels contains fundamental elements of the ruling Radical Left Syriza party's pre-election economic program.

Sakellaridis said that in the list, Athens pledged the gradual increase of the minimum wage in the private sector, for example.

Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas added that a settlement for overdue debts in 100 installments was also included, reassuring creditors that the measures would not lead to a derailment of fiscal adjustment efforts.

According to other government sources, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' anti-bailout administration has also suggested policies to deal with the humanitarian crisis, to combat corruption, fuel and tobacco smuggling, and tax evasion, and to create a fair taxation system.

In addition, in the list of measures signed by Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis and sent to creditors, the government promised policies to reform the public sector, reduce bureaucracy and stimulate the economy, according to the same sources.

According to finance ministry sources who speak to Xinhua, Athens also made it clear that the new government would not dismiss the entire privatization program agreed on by previous administrations.

The same sources said the government's proposed steps also included references on labor reforms regarding employment relations and the provision of free medical care, housing, and other assistance to the most vulnerable groups of society. Endit