Cyprus agrees to bank audit ahead of bailout decision
Cyprus has agreed to a European audit of its banks after allegations that the island state’s banking system might be used for money laundering.
The decision comes as a step towards getting financial aid from
Europe to help prevent Cyprus’ economy from collapse. According to
the Financial Times eurozone officials are insisting on an
independent audit of Cypriot banks before any rescue is
granted.
On Monday seventeen eurozone finance ministers gathered in Brussels
to resume talks on a €17 billion bailout for crisis-plagued Cyprus.
The finance ministers pledged to agree a bailout for Cyprus by the
end of March, Reuters reports. However details of the rescue plan
have yet to be sorted out.
Cyprus’ reputation as a way
point for controversial money flows and the government's close
relationship with Russia has caused concern among potential helpers
from the EU. The eurozone finance ministers clearly pointed out on
Monday that Cyprus will not get any financial aid before it brings
order to its banking system.
The new Cypriot Finance Minister Michalis Sarris said
on Sunday that it is important to find a balance between a complete
audit and maintaining banking secrecy.
Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who heads the group of 17 EU states’ Finance Ministers said on Monday that “it’s important to find a good solution whereby we weigh these risks.”
He said private companies will conduct the audit of Cypriot banks. He also called on Cyprus to speed up working out a new economic development plan, which they are due to present before the EU and The International Monetary Fund.
The IMF is still not ready to approve the bailout according to Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan. “The conditions are not yet in place for the board of the IMF to take a decision to participate," he said during the meeting in Brussels, Europe Online Magazine reports.
The troika of international lenders – the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Cental Bank - will continue their review of Cyprus's sinking economy and will return to the island on Tuesday, ECB board member Joerg Asmussen said on Monday.
"A group of troika experts will travel to Cyprus
tomorrow," Asmussen told reporters after a meeting of euro zone
finance ministers. "It's a technical mission, and to get an
understanding of the stance of the Cypriot government."
The grave condition of Cyprus’ economy caused by the recession in
Greece and eurozone debt crisis forced the state’s previous
government to request a bailout in June last year. However no
agreement could be reached with the old communist-led
government.
Talks on the foreign audit of Cypriot banks and aid for the Cyprus
economy resumed after newly elected President Nicos Anastasiades
announced last week he was committed to reforms, in exchange for a
bailout loan from the EU and IMF.