All issues remain unresolved

Antonis Samaras is determined to put the Greek demands, and particularly the extension of the fiscal adjustment program, in front of the European partners. After a short vacation, the prime minister has returned to Maximos Mansion and will begin preparing for a difficult and crucial week.

The climate for our country is still not good, especially in Germany, as shown by the recent statements by Philipp Rösler and the articles of the international press. The Financial Times report that Samaras will ask for a two-year extension of the fiscal adjustment program and that the Greek government suggests ways that the additional funding will not be required to pass by the European Parliament, which would bring further entanglement.

The same newspaper says that the patience of creditors concerning Greece has been exhausted and another conflict between Athens and Berlin might further destabilize the markets; German officials have ruled out any additional funding in Greece and a growing number of politicians are asking for Greece's exit from the Eurozone.

Just two days ago vice chancellor Rösler returned to harsh statements, saying that there can be no extension for Greece, which must implement what has been agreed on. German magazine Der Spiegel says Greece should default, since neither the IMF nor the Eurozone can sacrifice their credibility by offering new help. However, the magazine criticizes the German government arguing that if their goal was to save Greece they have failed and the austerity measures only managed to exacerbate the crisis and increase the debt.

Samaras will meet with Eurogroup chairman Juncker in Athens on Wednesday, and then with Merkel in Berlin on Friday and with Hollande in Paris on Saturday.

The prime minister's strategy is fixed and described as "staying in the euro at all costs." Until the meetings with Juncker, Merkel and Hollande, the government should specify the measures of 11.5 billion euros that will be presented by Samaras.

He will assure his interlocutors that he will promote privatizations and the reduction of the public sector at a fast pace. Whether he will manage to assuage Merkel’s reservations remains a question. It is estimated that Juncker and Hollande are more positive about our country. The meetings will be crucial for the report of the Troika, who return to our country at the end of the month. The goal is a positive report so that the Eurogroup will give the green light for the next tranche of 31.5 billion euros.

It still has not been decided if Samaras will meet with Venizelos and Kouvelis before the critical meetings with the Europeans. As there are disagreements on certain measures related to the pressure from within their parties, Samaras would not want to have a disagreement with the government's partners before the meeting with Juncker. -He seems determined to assume full responsibility for the 11.5-billion-euro package and the overall strategy to promote the plan for the rescue of our country.