Greece Hopes Bailout Talks Conclude By Aug. 20: Reuters

Athens hopes Greece's bailout discussions with international lenders will be wrapped up by Aug. 20, a government spokeswoman said on Tuesday, according to Reuters. The formal negotiations over the cash-for-reform package are expected to start once the Greek parliament has voted to approve a second set of austerity measures demanded by international lenders. That vote is scheduled for Wednesday. Officials from the lender institutions -- the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund -- formerly known as the "Troika" -- will be in Athens on Friday to meet with the government. If the 86-billion-euro ($93.6 billion) three-year aid package gets full lender approval, it will be Greece's third bailout in five years. The country has already been granted about €240 billion in financial assistance.

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