Greece set to receive €8.1bn in fresh aid

Creditors concluded a technical audit of reforms in Greece on Monday, opening the way for payment of 8.1 billion euros in fresh aid if finance ministers approve the audit report, officials said. The European Commission also said that Greece looked to be on track to return to growth next year. European Commission spokesman Simon O'Connor said on twitter: "Troika conclude Greece review mission with staff-level agreement. Now for Eurogroup to discuss." Finance ministers from the 17-nation eurogroup meet later on Monday in Brussels to decide if Greece has done enough to obtain a fresh slice of loans. A statement from the Commission, the EU's executive, said the so-called 'troika' -- the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund -- had concluded an often-delayed review of reforms in Greece.  "The mission has reached staff-level agreement, ad referendum, with the authorities on the economic and financial policies needed to ensure the programme is on track to achieve its objectives," the statement said. The formulation of the statement made clear that the findings had to be referred up to the lending authorities, the IMF and the eurozone finance ministers. The statement added that "the macroeconomic outlook remains broadly in line with programme projections with prospects for a gradual return to growth in 2014." But it cautioned that "the outlook remains uncertain, however. "While important progress continues to be made, policy implementation is behind in some areas."