Klaus Regling (ESM) - "Greece will receive 5.7 billion euro in second half of March"

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is unlikely to transfer the next financial aid tranche of 5.7 billion euros or $7 billion, to Greece earlier than in the second half of March, Managing Director of the ESM Klaus Regling said Monday.

"I don't anticipate that the ESM will be able to disburse the first subtranche before the second half of March," Regling said at a conference.

In January, the finance ministers of the eurozone countries agreed on a new 6.7-billion euros tranche of financial aid for Greece.