Where do you see this?
In international news articles about Greece and the euro zone.
What does it mean?
A Russian word, "troika" refers to a collection of three.
But in the context of the euro zone, the troika refers to three organisations: the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union.
Why is it important?
This committee of three has significant influence over Greece's financial future.
This is because the trio are in a position to bail out Greece and are, therefore, able to set loan conditions that Greece has to meet in order to maintain the finanical lifeline, such as implementing reforms.
These reforms include harsh austerity measures such as limiting the number of civil servants that can be hired.
Ireland and Portugal are the other two euro zone countries which have agreed to be bailed out by the troika.
So you want to use the term. Just say...
"Troika officials have agreed to lend money to Greece, conditional upon Greece implementing measures such as reducing the minimum wage."
invest, The Sunday Times, July 1 2012, Pg 38