ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece says it hopes creditors will start talks on debt relief quickly — as soon as they have completed their first review of the country's bailout reforms — to dispel uncertainty and help the battered economy.

Speaking Monday at an economic conference, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said recent efforts to deal with Greece's debt load had essentially been "kicking the can down the street."

He said that without a clear indication as to how Greece will deal with its oversized debt, uncertainty will cloud the economic outlook and stunt consumer spending and foreign investment.

Creditors are currently reviewing Greece's reforms progress under its new three-year bailout. They have promised to consider debt relief once that is over.