ATHENS, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos presented on Wednesday to lenders' envoys in Athens Greece's arguments that there was no fiscal reason to implement the pension cuts that are due to kick off in January 2019, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said.
Representatives of EU and the International Monetary Fund creditors returned to Athens this week for the first assessment of Greece's finances and reforms after the end on Aug. 20 of the third of the bailout programs which helped to avert a Greek default and Grexit since 2010.
One of the thorniest issues on the agenda of discussions which will wrap up on Friday is the forthcoming pension cuts.
Greece has already voted in 2016 for the implementation of the measure following negotiations with lenders on the post-bailout course, but now the Greek government argues that it is unnecessary, because the economy will anyway meet the primary surplus target of 3.5 percent of GDP in 2019.
Athens has committed to meet this target until 2022 as required by lenders, but requests more freedom in deciding on her own the policy mix to achieve the goal.
Tzanakopoulos appeared confident on Wednesday that Athens will not have to implement the pension cuts after all, speaking to local Real FM radio.
Greek retirees have seen the pensions slashed a dozen times under bailouts.
After the exit from the painful programs Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has pledged lately relief measures.
In an interview with local financial news portal "capital-gr" European Stability Mechanism head Klaus Regling argued that the cuts are part of the agreed social security system reform and the wider deal based on which lenders unlocked the last bailout funds and committed to a Greek debt relief this summer.
The suspension of the pension cuts may send a wrong message to international capital markets, as Greece plans its full return to them, Regling warned.
No decision on the issue is expected before November, when the EU envoys will submit their report to Euro group.
Another three such reports will follow in February, May and November 2019, while IMF envoys will also be monitoring Greece's post-bailout performance.
On the agenda of discussions in Athens this week are also the reduction of the bad loans and e-auctions of foreclosed homes among others, according to Greek national news agency AMNA.
