Greece expects bailout deal Friday, says gov't spokesman

Greece expects it will reach a deal with its creditors this week, after months of fruitless talks that have raised concern about its economic recovery, the government spokesman said on Thursday.

"I think a very positive outcome Friday is very likely," Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told Antenna TV, referring to a meeting of eurozone ministers in Malta.

"We made a great effort in order to bridge the differences and find an efficient solution," he added.

A day earlier, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras warned that it would take a full summit of eurozone leaders to resolve the issue if no agreement was forthcoming Friday.

"If the Eurogroup is not in a position to (produce a result) Friday, I have asked EU President Donald Tusk to call a summit of eurozone countries," Tsipras said after meeting with Tusk.

However, both Tsipras and Tusk then insisted such a step...