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Greece debt crisis: IMF payment missed as bailout expires Greece debt crisis: IMF payment missed as bailout expires
(about 3 hours later)
Greece has missed the deadline for a €1.6bn (£1.1bn) payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), hours after eurozone ministers refused to extend its bailout.Greece has missed the deadline for a €1.6bn (£1.1bn) payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), hours after eurozone ministers refused to extend its bailout.
But the ministers said they would discuss a last-minute suggestion from Greece for a new bailout programme. But the ministers say they will discuss a last-minute request from Greece for a new two-year bailout on Wednesday.
Greece is the first advanced country to fail to repay a loan to the IMF and is now formally in arrears.Greece is the first advanced country to fail to repay a loan to the IMF and is now formally in arrears.
There are fears that this could put Greece at risk of leaving the euro.There are fears that this could put Greece at risk of leaving the euro.
The IMF confirmed that Greece had failed to make the payment, shortly after 22:00 GMT on Tuesday.The IMF confirmed that Greece had failed to make the payment, shortly after 22:00 GMT on Tuesday.
"We have informed our Executive Board that Greece is now in arrears and can only receive IMF financing once the arrears are cleared," said IMF spokesman Gerry Rice."We have informed our Executive Board that Greece is now in arrears and can only receive IMF financing once the arrears are cleared," said IMF spokesman Gerry Rice.
Mr Rice confirmed the IMF had received a request from Greece to extend the payment deadline, which he said would go to the board "in due course".Mr Rice confirmed the IMF had received a request from Greece to extend the payment deadline, which he said would go to the board "in due course".
With the eurozone bailout expired, Greece no longer has access to billions of euros in funds and could not meet its IMF repayment.With the eurozone bailout expired, Greece no longer has access to billions of euros in funds and could not meet its IMF repayment.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has also frozen its liquidity lifeline to Greek banks. Meanwhile, ratings agencies have further downgraded the country's debt.The European Central Bank (ECB) has also frozen its liquidity lifeline to Greek banks. Meanwhile, ratings agencies have further downgraded the country's debt.
Analysis: Chris Morris, Europe correspondentAnalysis: Chris Morris, Europe correspondent
This is not how international diplomacy or finance is supposed to be conducted: a series of confusing last minute proposals in an atmosphere of mounting chaos.This is not how international diplomacy or finance is supposed to be conducted: a series of confusing last minute proposals in an atmosphere of mounting chaos.
Without another bailout, Greece is in dire straits. Cut off from all international financing, and skating on dangerously thin ice. Without another bailout, Greece is in dire straits - cut off from all international financing, and skating on dangerously thin ice.
If it can't repay a debt to the ECB on 20 July, that would probably be the end. It is running out of options to keep it in the eurozone.If it can't repay a debt to the ECB on 20 July, that would probably be the end. It is running out of options to keep it in the eurozone.
Part of the new deal Greece has suggested would involve a restructuring of its huge debts - but some of its proposals will not be acceptable to other eurozone countries. So there is uncertainty at every turn, and plenty of public posturing as Greece prepares for a referendum on Sunday.Part of the new deal Greece has suggested would involve a restructuring of its huge debts - but some of its proposals will not be acceptable to other eurozone countries. So there is uncertainty at every turn, and plenty of public posturing as Greece prepares for a referendum on Sunday.
Just to confuse matters still further, some EU officials have suggested that there have been indications from the Greek authorities that if the outlines of a deal can be done in the next couple of days, the referendum could even be cancelled.Just to confuse matters still further, some EU officials have suggested that there have been indications from the Greek authorities that if the outlines of a deal can be done in the next couple of days, the referendum could even be cancelled.
Is Grexit nearer?
A guide to the key numbers and issues
New bailout 'considered'New bailout 'considered'
Eurogroup chairman and Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem earlier said it would be "crazy" to extend the Greek bailout beyond its Tuesday midnight expiration as Athens was refusing to accept the European proposals on the table. Eurogroup chairman and Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem earlier said it would be "crazy" to extend the Greek bailout beyond its Tuesday deadline as Athens was refusing to accept the European proposals on the table.
Speaking after the conference call with other eurozone ministers, he added that a Greek request for a new €29.1bn European aid programme would be considered in a meeting on Wednesday.
Greece's left-wing Syriza government, elected on an anti-austerity platform, has been in deadlock with its creditors for months over the terms of a third bailout.Greece's left-wing Syriza government, elected on an anti-austerity platform, has been in deadlock with its creditors for months over the terms of a third bailout.
Speaking after the conference call with other eurozone ministers, Mr Dijsselbloem said that a Greek request for a new €29.1bn European aid programme would be considered in a telephone conference on Wednesday.
BBC economics correspondent Andrew Walker says he understands Greece may submit new proposals on Wednesday that rein in its spending.
Greece's request on Tuesday asked for funds from Europe's bailout fund - the European Stability Mechanism - as well as a restructuring of Greece's public debt.
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier said she had ruled out further negotiations until after Sunday's referendum, which will ask Greeks if they want to accept the deal offered by their creditors.
The Greek government took the unilateral decision to hold a vote last weekend, angering eurozone ministers.
What happens next?What happens next?
30 June - Greece failed to meet deadline for €1.6bn repayment to the IMF. 1 July - Eurogroup - the finance ministers of the eurozone - holds a telephone conference to discuss new proposal from Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
5 July - The referendum on creditors' proposals, and many say Greece's membership of the eurozone, takes place. 5 July - Referendum on creditors' proposals takes place, which many say is effectively a vote on Greek membership of the eurzone
20 July - Greece must redeem €3.46bn of bonds held by the European Central Bank. If it fails to do so, the ECB can cut off Greece's access to emergency loans. 20 July - Greece must redeem €3.46bn of bonds held by the European Central Bank. If it fails to do so, the ECB can cut off Greece's access to emergency loans
Meanwhile, the US Treasury said on Tuesday it was urging all parties to press forward with negotiations "that put Greece on a path toward economic growth within the eurozone".
The European Commission - one of the "troika" of creditors along with the IMF and the eurozone's European Central Bank - wants Athens to raise taxes and cut welfare spending to meet its debt obligations.The European Commission - one of the "troika" of creditors along with the IMF and the eurozone's European Central Bank - wants Athens to raise taxes and cut welfare spending to meet its debt obligations.
Ratings agency Fitch cut Greece's credit rating from "CCC" to "CC" on Tuesday evening, which is one level above a full default.Ratings agency Fitch cut Greece's credit rating from "CCC" to "CC" on Tuesday evening, which is one level above a full default.
It comes amid fears of a default on Greece's huge public debt of €323bn, with people queuing at cash machines. Withdrawals are capped at just €60 a day. Fears of a default on Greece's huge public debt of €323bn have led to long queues of people at cash machines. Withdrawals are capped at just €60 a day.
Greek banks did not open this week after talks between Greece and its creditors broke down. However, up to 1,000 bank branches will re-open from Wednesday to allow pensioners - many of whom do not use bank cards - to withdraw up to €120.Greek banks did not open this week after talks between Greece and its creditors broke down. However, up to 1,000 bank branches will re-open from Wednesday to allow pensioners - many of whom do not use bank cards - to withdraw up to €120.
On Tuesday evening, thousands of pro-EU protesters braved stormy weather and gathered outside the Greek parliament in Athens to urge a "yes" vote in a referendum on Sunday over whether the country should accept its creditors' proposals.On Tuesday evening, thousands of pro-EU protesters braved stormy weather and gathered outside the Greek parliament in Athens to urge a "yes" vote in a referendum on Sunday over whether the country should accept its creditors' proposals.
It follows a similar demonstration by those advocating a "no" vote - the path preferred by Mr Tsipras - on Monday.It follows a similar demonstration by those advocating a "no" vote - the path preferred by Mr Tsipras - on Monday.
EU leaders have warned that a no vote rejecting creditors' proposals would mean Greece leaving the eurozone - though Mr Tsipras says he does not want this to happen.EU leaders have warned that a no vote rejecting creditors' proposals would mean Greece leaving the eurozone - though Mr Tsipras says he does not want this to happen.
The ECB is believed to have disbursed virtually all of its emergency funds for Greece, amounting to €89bn (£63bn).The ECB is believed to have disbursed virtually all of its emergency funds for Greece, amounting to €89bn (£63bn).
Days of turmoil
Is Grexit nearer?
Katya Adler: A European divide
Existential threat to euro from Greek exit
A guide to the key numbers and issues
Lenders' proposals - key sticking pointsLenders' proposals - key sticking points
Source: European Commission document, 26 Jun 15 (pdf)Source: European Commission document, 26 Jun 15 (pdf)
Greek debt jargon explainedGreek debt jargon explained
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