Gabriel Sakellaridis

Greece's radical left government was at pains Feb. 21 to put a positive face on an EU compromise deal that is sharply at odds with its anti-austerity ambitions.
 
At a last-ditch meeting on Feb. 20, Europe gave Athens some breathing room to present alternative reforms in a bid to save its crucial financial lifeline.
 

Greece has made every effort to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with its euro zone partners but will not be pushed to implement its old bailout program, its government spokesman said on Friday.

"The Greek government has done all it should at every level in an effort to find a mutually beneficial solution," government spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis told Mega TV.

A meeting of eurozone financial ministers is scheduled for Friday, in order for a solution to be reached for the crisis in Greece.

Informal division has been observed, as Germany largely relies on the support of Finland and Netherlands, and perhaps Portugal and Spain that have already taken the bailout road, but never had the chance to renegotiate.

Greece aims to conclude a deal with its eurozone partners "soon", its government spokesman said on Thursday.

"We are doing everything to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Our aim is to conclude this agreement soon," Gabriel Sakellaridis told Skai TV. "We are trying to find the common points."

By George Georgiopoulos & John O'Donnell

Greece will submit a request to the eurozone on Wednesday to extend a "loan agreement" for up to six months but EU paymaster Germany says no such deal is on offer and Athens must stick to the terms of its existing international bailout.

Greece's government confirmed it would ask on Wednesday for an extension to its loan agreement with the euro zone, which it distinguishes from its full bailout program.

BY Jan Strupczewski and George Georgiopoulos

Euro zone finance ministers will try again on Friday to break a deadlock over Greece's urgent need for further financing but it may take an emergency summit of the currency bloc in the coming week to clinch any deal.

By Yann Le Guernigou and Costas Pitas

Debt-laden Greece and EU paymaster Germany struck hardline postures ahead of a crucial meeting of euro zone finance ministers on Monday on the future of an unpopular international bailout for Athens, but France called for compromise.

By Eleni Chrepa

Greek officials and the country?s creditors extended discussions through the weekend, as they raced to make progress ahead of the meeting of euro-area finance ministers in Brussels on Monday.

Greece is committed to not continuing an international bailout similar to the ones agreed with the EU and IMF by previous governments, its spokesman said on Sunday.

"(Greece) will not continue with a program which has the characteristics of the programs of previous governments,» Gabriel Sakellaridis told Greek TV.