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Euro falls on rumours Greece is to quit the eurozone | Euro falls on rumours Greece is to quit the eurozone |
(40 minutes later) | |
The euro has fallen by more than 1% against the dollar, following a report that Greece had raised the possibility of leaving the single currency. | The euro has fallen by more than 1% against the dollar, following a report that Greece had raised the possibility of leaving the single currency. |
German magazine Der Spiegel said eurozone finance ministers were holding a crisis meeting in Luxembourg. | German magazine Der Spiegel said eurozone finance ministers were holding a crisis meeting in Luxembourg. |
The report has been denied vigorously by eurozone countries, including Greece and Germany. | The report has been denied vigorously by eurozone countries, including Greece and Germany. |
However, the BBC has learned that ministers from four eurozone countries are indeed meeting in Luxembourg. | However, the BBC has learned that ministers from four eurozone countries are indeed meeting in Luxembourg. |
The countries - France, Germany, Finland and Netherlands - are said to be discussing EU issues, including the financial situation of Portugal, Ireland and Greece. | The countries - France, Germany, Finland and Netherlands - are said to be discussing EU issues, including the financial situation of Portugal, Ireland and Greece. |
"The report about Greece leaving the eurozone is untrue," the Greek deputy finance minister Filippos Sachinidis told Reuters. | "The report about Greece leaving the eurozone is untrue," the Greek deputy finance minister Filippos Sachinidis told Reuters. |
"Such reports undermine Greece and the euro and serve market speculation games." | "Such reports undermine Greece and the euro and serve market speculation games." |
Denials | Denials |
At 18.30 GMT the euro was worth $1.44. | At 18.30 GMT the euro was worth $1.44. |
A source told Reuters that some EU ministers were meeting in Luxembourg on Friday to review issues such as Portugal, Greece and European Central Bank leadership, "but nothing more". | A source told Reuters that some EU ministers were meeting in Luxembourg on Friday to review issues such as Portugal, Greece and European Central Bank leadership, "but nothing more". |
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and his deputy Joerg Asmussen were at the meeting, according to Reuters. | German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and his deputy Joerg Asmussen were at the meeting, according to Reuters. |
But the head of the Eurogroup, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, has denied that crisis eurozone talks were being staged that could see Greece exit the euro, his spokesman told AFP. | But the head of the Eurogroup, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, has denied that crisis eurozone talks were being staged that could see Greece exit the euro, his spokesman told AFP. |
"This information is totally false," his spokesman Guy Schueller told AFP. | "This information is totally false," his spokesman Guy Schueller told AFP. |
"There is no Eurogroup meeting taking place or planned this weekend," Mr Schueller underlined. | "There is no Eurogroup meeting taking place or planned this weekend," Mr Schueller underlined. |
Bailout | Bailout |
Almost a year ago to the day, Greece accepted a multi-billion euro bailout to finance its huge deficit. | Almost a year ago to the day, Greece accepted a multi-billion euro bailout to finance its huge deficit. |
The 110bn-euro ($136bn; £94bn) loan was designed to prevent Greece from defaulting on its massive debt. | The 110bn-euro ($136bn; £94bn) loan was designed to prevent Greece from defaulting on its massive debt. |