Greek leader says bailout talks progressing well

By Furkan Naci Top

ATHENS (AA) - Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday discussions with lenders were progressing well in the country’s bailout program.

Addressing lawmakers of his leftist SYRIZA party in Athens, Tsipras said new talks were "expected to start on the long-term viability of debt after the conclusion of the third review".

The prime minister has also promised there would be no additional austerity measures during the third review.

A bailout program -- worth up to €86 billion euros ($100 billion) -- is expected to expire in August 2018.

The government previously said the third review would end by January.

Greece has been the recipient of three bailout deals since 2010. It has worked to avoid bankruptcy with the financial help of the IMF, EU and the European Central Bank and borrowed what amounts to 260 billion euros ($306 billion).