Greek Minister Opposed to Privatization of Some Businesses

Greece's new government is 'radically opposed' to the privatization of certain businesses, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors, as reforms talks with creditors get set to start. Selling state-owned enterprises is one of the things Greece has been asked to do to raise funds and reduce debt in exchange for rescue loans from the eurozone and IMF. Talks between Greece and its creditors are set to start late Wednesday in Brussels. The plan is to try and cement a series of reforms Athens must implement in order to get the remaining bailout funds released and avoid bankruptcy. Greece's energy and environment minister said 'We are radically opposed to the privatization, particularly of the strategic sectors and businesses of our economy, and primarily in the sector of infrastructure and energy.' Lafazanis said his country wanted diverse energy sources, but would not be dependent on 'any large power and of any coalition of countries.'