Talks on Greek debt near conclusion: EU's Rehn (by William L. Watts)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- The Greek government and private bondholders are near a deal on writing down the value of Greece's government debt, which would clear the way for additional aid to the country, Olli Rehn, the European Union's commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, told Dutch lawmakers in The Hague on Thursday, news reports said. "Talks are close to conclusion," Rehn said, according to Dow Jones Newswires. Rehn said banks and other bondholders must make a substantial contribution and that Greece must accelerate efforts to put its public finances in order. After that, the EU can determine how much additional aid Greece might need, he said, according to the report.