Don't expect decision on Greece at EU summit: Germany

(BERLIN) - A German government spokesman on Monday warned against hopes that EU leaders would take a decision over the state of debt-wracked Greece at this week's crucial summit in Brussels.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert told a regular news conference that no decision could be taken until the international team of auditors, known as the troika, had assessed the state of Greece's economy.

"The troika has to go to Athens. They have to see where the programme is and then report to the eurogroup and the International Monetary Fund. Then we will speak about how the programme should continue," Seibert said.

"I think all our European partners will stick to this procedure. So do not expect any decision on Greece at the European council," added the spokesman, referring to the summit.

A spokesman for Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told the same briefing that the troika had been delayed after health problems afflicting both Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and incoming Finance Minister Vassilis Rapanos.

"The troika's visit was delayed due to a lack of people to speak to," said the spokesman, Martin Kotthaus.

"It is regrettable, but that's the way it is," he added.

Greece has said it wants to freeze further civil-service layoffs and bargain for a two-year extension to its tough fiscal adjustment demanded in return for billions of euros (dollars) in bailout money.

The troika -- officials from the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund -- had been due to travel to Athens on Monday and no new date has been announced.

Germany has been cool on the idea of giving Greece more time, with Seibert reiterating on Monday that "the programme should stand as it was agreed."