By Reuters

Published: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 8:00 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

MANILA — An agreement among Greece's international creditors on reducing its large debt pile should be “rooted in reality and not in wishful thinking,” said the International Monetary Fund's chief before a tense meeting with European leaders.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde cut short a visit to Asia to attend a euro meeting on Tuesday in Belgium. She told Reuters that a deal is vital to providing a lasting solution to Greece's debt to avoid prolonged uncertainty and further damage to the nation's economy.

“I am always trying to be constructive, but I am driven by two objectives — (the first) to build and approve a program for Greece that is solid, that is convincing today, that will be sustainable tomorrow, that is rooted in reality and not in wishful thinking.

“The second objective is to maintain the integrity, credibility and quality of advice that we are giving, not for the fund itself, which obviously is a concern of mine, but to lend that to the Europeans because that is what they are interested in,” she said late Saturday.

1. Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game
2. NHL commissioner Bettman talks Crosby, Olympics, outdoor games
3. Dejan Kovacevic chat transcript: May 24, 2013
4. Senators' Alfredsson clarifies comments made after Game 4
5. Penguins insider: Golden opportunity arrives with Game 5
6. Both lanes of I-79 northbound near Cranberry now open
7. Allegheny County Councilman Drozd leaves GOP, alleges dirty politics
8. Starkey: Pens’ offense blazing historic path
9. Pens will unveil even bigger TV screen for fans in Game 5
10. Steelers notebook: Gilbert hopes to stay on left side of O-line
11. Comics take center stage at festival, convention in Pittsburgh

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.