EU optimistic of third bailout deal for Greece by Aug 20

BRUSSELS, Aug 5 (KUNA) -- Negotiations on a third bailout worth 86 billion euros between the Greek government and its international creditors in Athens are progressing in a "satisfactory way," Mina Andreeva, Deputy Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission told a news conference here Wednesday. She quoted European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker saying in a media interview that "an agreement this month preferably before 20 August is possible." The spokesperson said that 20 August is an important day because another payment of 3.4 billion euros by Greece is due to the European Central Bank.
"This is an ambitious yet possible timetable as everyone sticks to the commitment as outlined by the euro area summit statement of 13 July," she added.
Andreeva did not confirm that finance ministers of the 19-member euro area are planning to hold a speical meeting on Greece saying any such meeting has to be announced by the Euro area secretariat. (end) nk.ajs