Brussels, 24/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Greek government's economic austerity programme is moving towards its objectives, despite some delays. That was the overall assessment of a team sent by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund after its third review of the Greek austerity programme, following a fact-finding mission in Athens from 27 January to 11 February. In a joint press release, the three bodies point out that the Greek programme is backed by a €80 billion loan from eurozone countries and a €30bn stand-by arrangement from the IMF. The three bodies' group of experts believe that the reforms needed to meet the mid-term objectives are being put in place but other reforms still need to be worked out and introduced in order to ensure a lasting upturn in the economy. The green light after the third review will allow Greece to receive the next €15bn of its aid package (€10.9bn from eurozone countries and €4.1bn from the IMF). The next fact-finding mission will go to Greece in May. Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said on Thursday 24 February that the Eurogroup was in agreement in principle to extend the repayment deadlines for the Greek aid package and the agreement would be “rubberstamped” at the EU summit in Brussels next month. (Gp/transl.fl)