Heads of international austerity monitoring team start talks with Greek officials in Athens

ATHENS, Greece – International austerity inspectors start a new round of talks with Greek officials that will determine whether the debt-crippled country continues to receive its vital rescue loans.

The heads of an inspection team from the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank were meeting Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras in Athens on Thursday.

Later Thursday, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will be in Athens for talks with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Talks will focus on the progress of Greece’s harsh austerity and reform program, imposed as a condition for the two international bailouts keeping the country afloat. Greek officials must also outline how they will save an additional €11.5 billion ($14 billion) in 2013 and 2014, while boosting revenues by €3 billion ($3.6 billion).