Greece has agreed to repay its debt to the International Monetary Fund by April 9, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said after a meeting with Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis.

There was speculation ahead of the visit that Athens might fail to meet the 460 million euros ($A662.01 million) IMF instalment if forced to choose between the IMF and paying government workers.

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Lagarde said repaying the IMF debt was in the country’s best interest.

“Continuing uncertainty is not in Greece’s interest and I welcomed confirmation by the minister that payment owing to the Fund would be forthcoming on April 9th,” Lagarde said in a statement on Monday.

Greece has not received the remaining funds in its 240-billion-euro European Union-IMF rescue package as Brussels has demanded to first approve Greece’s revised reform plan.

Lagarde encouraged Athens to continue talks in Brussels — which she said would resume on Monday — and to “conduct the necessary due diligence in Athens”.

“The Fund remains committed to work together with the authorities to help Greece return to a sustainable path of growth and employment,” Lagarde added.