Greece's bailout inspectors in Athens amid debt relief hopes

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Bailout inspectors returned to Greece on Wednesday to complete a review of the government's economic reforms, which is needed before the country can get more rescue loans and much-needed debt relief.

The officials representing Greece's European creditors and the International Monetary Fund are expected to discuss the government's plans to manage the rising number of banks' bad loans and to overhaul the troubled pension system.

The inspectors are monitoring progress of measures demanded under Greece's third international bailout agreed last year with left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

"There are differences between the two sides, but that is the subject of our negotiation," Economy and Development Minister Giorgos Stathakis told parliament before meeting the inspectors. He denied claims the negotiations have stalled.

Pierre Moscovici, the EU financial affairs commissioner, said a swift conclusion of the negotiations in Athens would pave the way for a debt relief deal that was likely to improve repayment terms but not see any direct debt reduction.

"We can conclude talks in the month ahead at the technical level," Moscovici told a parliamentary television channel in France. "After that - as we know - as soon as there is a conclusion on the reforms needed, we must talk about the debt ... If we can succeed by May 1 that would be good, having wrapped it all up."

Greece's national debt is set to exceed the high level of 180 percent of gross domestic product this year, after years of austerity measures that have weakened the economy.

Tsipras is facing widespread opposition to pension reforms that are set to increase contributions for employers and salary earners so that hefty cuts in monthly payments to retirees can be avoided.

Farmers have blockaded highways for several weeks this year, while lawyers, doctors and other professional groups have also staged protests. Greece's largest labor union, the GSEE, organized a peaceful anti-bailout protest Wednesday, attended by several hundred people.

In central Athens, two former ministers in the Tsipras government led a small group of demonstrators who briefly occupied the local European Commission building to protest the renewed bailout talks and EU migration policy.

"The European Commission is behaving more and more like a criminal organization," former energy minister Panagiotis Lafazanis told protesters. "They impose neo-colonial bailout deals and send migrants to their death, drowning at sea and living in appalling conditions."

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Ganley reported from Paris.

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