Brussels, 10/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The recent Eurogroup meeting enabled ministers to assess progress in the countries in receipt of aid. The Greek government had hoped to reach agreement with the troika of lenders (European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund) to conclude the fourth follow-up mission that began in September but has been interrupted a number of times. Greek finance minister Yannis Stournaras says that the troika should reach agreement with the Eurogroup ahead of the 1 April Eurogroup meting in Athens. The head of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, hoped that Greece and the troika would work to ensure an agreement can be reached very soon. The Greek media reported at the weekend that agreement has been reached between the government and the troika on recapitalisation of Greek banks, following publication by the Greek central bank of tests that suggest that some €6.4 billion extra capital will be needed. Issues surrounding the OECD recommendations on removing barriers to competitiveness, along with slimming down the civil service, still need to be settled. (EL)