Athens: Greece should reach a deal with its euro zone partners and the International Monetary Fund next week on a package of reforms, which will help to unlock remaining bailout funds, the country`s economy minister said on Wednesday.
"I think talks will lead to a deal next week. The agreement will close on (Greek Orthodox) Easter week," Economy Minister George Stathakis told Skai TV.
Last week Athens presented a list of reforms to its official creditors in a bid to show it is committed to living up to pledges of financial discipline and is worthy of aid as it scrambles to meet loan payments amid a cash crunch.
The list of proposed reforms Athens has presented to the Brussels Group includes revenues of 1.5 billion euros from privatisations this year, including the long-term lease of 14 regional airports and the sale of its largest port Piraeus.
Stathakis said the government had no plans to sell a majority 67 percent stake in Piraeus Port Authority but would seek a joint venture with investors in which it would retain a substantial stake.
"The idea that prevailed is that we will not proceed with a privatisation of the 67 percent stake, which would mean a full privatisation of Piraeus port. We are not discussing this," Stathakis said.
"We are trying to find some kind of joint venture."
Last week, the country`s deputy prime minister said during a visit to China that Athens would sell its majority stake in Piraeus Port, where China`s port operator Cosco Group is already an investor and short-listed for the sale. [ID:nL3N0WU04J]
Asked about the tender to lease Greece`s regional airports, in which German airport operator Fraport has been named a winner, Stathakis said Athens would seek to tweak some terms of the concession but would not cancel the deal.
"(The tender) is at a stage where there can be a discussion on changing, revising or improving some aspects of the deal without cancelling the tender."