The Greek government extended the shutdown of its financial markets at least through Monday as it prepared to welcome creditors for negotiations on a third bailout program.
A decision on when and under what conditions Greek markets will reopen was deferred to next week, a government official told reporters Thursday, asking not to be named in line with policy. The Athens Stock Exchange multilateral trading facility and electronic secondary market for bonds have been closed since June 29, when the government issued a decree imposing capital controls and a forced bank holiday.
Greek officials setting the ground rules for a reopening of the Athens exchange need to decide whether to exempt investors from capital controls and risk more money heading for the exit, or safeguard scarce liquidity and get further isolated from global markets.
The nation is seeking a return to normality as the government begins new bailout talks. The first representatives of Greece’s official creditors are due to arrive in Athens on Friday.
