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News analysis: Greek PM visits Berlin as part of efforts to avert cash crunch in April

Xinhua, March 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras paid a visit to Berlin on Monday, continuing a round of meetings with European leaders in the context of efforts to avert a cash crunch in April.

Following talks during the EU summit in Brussels last week Athens pledged to present to its international creditors this week a fresh detailed list of reforms to be implemented immediately in exchange of the release of further vital aid.

Under the Eurogroup February 20 agreement which bridged the expired four year Greek bailout with a final deal to resolve the Greek debt crisis in June, Greece had to pass an assessment of the latest set of policies in April before the disbursement of any funds.

But, Greek state coffers are running dry and time was running out to keep Greece afloat and within the euro zone.

During a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel later on Monday the young Leftist leader would discuss a draft of this updated list of specific reforms, according to government sources.

A few hours before the talks in Berlin, media reported that Tsipras addressed a letter to Merkel a week ago, warning that it would be impossible for his government to service its debt obligations in April and pay pensions and wages in Greece without some immediate support by its lenders.

This letter "which was also sent to other European leaders and officials, including French President Francois Hollande and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker", paved the way for the talks in Brussels and Berlin, Greek government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis said on Monday speaking to Greek media.

Athens explained that there are difficulties with the liquidity and that political initiatives need to be taken, Sakellaridis said.

According to political analysts in Athens the meeting with Merkel provides a unique opportunity for Tsipras to also ease tensions of recent weeks in bilateral relations.

Officials from both countries have made inflammatory statements over the way to resolve the Greek debt crisis lately. Endit