Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks at the 81th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair in the northern port city of Thessaloniki on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. Tsipras promised Saturday to deliver economic growth to a country hammered by years of economic hardship, as thousands gathered in protest at more planned austerity measures. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Inspectors from Greece's bailout creditors have returned to Athens as the Greek government faces calls to speed up the implementation of economic reforms so it can get more rescue loans.
Representatives from the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and European Commission were due for talks starting Monday with government officials. The delayed reforms include measures to accelerate a privatization program, energy sector liberalization and bank governance.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is pressing lenders to grant Greece more lenient repayment terms that would allow his left-wing government to ease austerity measures and emerge from years of crippling recession.
Greece's creditors have said debt relief negotiations can only take place after the government implements more austerity measures including cutting back on protection laws against mass lay-offs and home foreclosures.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks at the 81th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair in the northern port city of Thessaloniki on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. Tsipras promised Saturday to deliver economic growth to a country hammered by years of economic hardship, as thousands gathered in protest at more planned austerity measures. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
The Associated Press
A protester holds a flare during an anti-austerity demonstration in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, where Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is due to speak at the 81th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. About 15,000 protesters are taking part in anti-government rallies before a visit to Greece by bailout inspectors and plans by the left-wing government to impose more austerity measures after years of economic hardship. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
The Associated Press
A refugee takes part in an anti-austerity protest in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, where Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is due to speak at the 81th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair on the state of the nation's economy, on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. About 15,000 protesters are taking part in anti-government rallies before a visit to Greece by bailout inspectors and plans by the left-wing government to impose more austerity measures after years of economic hardship. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
The Associated Press