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Greece debt crisis: Eurozone 'sceptical' of reform pledge Greece debt crisis: Eurozone 'sceptical' of reform pledge
(35 minutes later)
Eurozone finance chiefs are seeking further signs from Greece that it is serious about delivering its promises of reform in return for a debt rescue.Eurozone finance chiefs are seeking further signs from Greece that it is serious about delivering its promises of reform in return for a debt rescue.
Several ministers arrived for their crunch meeting in Brussels expressing scepticism that Athens would implement the austerity measures it has proposed.Several ministers arrived for their crunch meeting in Brussels expressing scepticism that Athens would implement the austerity measures it has proposed.
Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem spoke of a "major issue of trust".Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem spoke of a "major issue of trust".
But Greece's Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis told the BBC his government is "committed to moving forward".But Greece's Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis told the BBC his government is "committed to moving forward".
Greek MPs have voted in favour of the measures proposed by PM Alexis Tsipras - despite the fact that many of the ideas had been rejected by the Greek people in last Sunday's referendum.Greek MPs have voted in favour of the measures proposed by PM Alexis Tsipras - despite the fact that many of the ideas had been rejected by the Greek people in last Sunday's referendum.
Follow the latest updates hereFollow the latest updates here
The meeting between 19 eurozone ministers and Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos in Brussels began early afternoon on Saturday and has continued into the evening. The meeting between 18 eurozone ministers and Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos in Brussels began early afternoon on Saturday and has continued into the evening.
One unnamed European official, quoted by the Associated Press, said there was a general feeling in the room that the Greek proposals are "too little, too late" and as such "more specific and binding commitments" are needed from the government in Athens.One unnamed European official, quoted by the Associated Press, said there was a general feeling in the room that the Greek proposals are "too little, too late" and as such "more specific and binding commitments" are needed from the government in Athens.
Analysis: Theo Leggett, BBC NewsAnalysis: Theo Leggett, BBC News
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper says it has seen a German position paper which sets out two possible options for Greece.The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper says it has seen a German position paper which sets out two possible options for Greece.
1. It could transfer assets worth €50bn into a special fund, to be sold off to pay creditors. 2. Take a a five year "time out" from euro membership, in order to restructure its debts.1. It could transfer assets worth €50bn into a special fund, to be sold off to pay creditors. 2. Take a a five year "time out" from euro membership, in order to restructure its debts.
A note of caution. Although this paper appears to come from within the finance ministry, it does not necessarily reflect Germany's actual position in the talks. Indeed, there are some indications that it doesn't.A note of caution. Although this paper appears to come from within the finance ministry, it does not necessarily reflect Germany's actual position in the talks. Indeed, there are some indications that it doesn't.
Officials may well have been exploring numerous different options. These could simply have been leaked in order to put more pressure on Greece during the negotiations.Officials may well have been exploring numerous different options. These could simply have been leaked in order to put more pressure on Greece during the negotiations.
It is hard to see the benefits of casting Greece into a limbo where it would apparently be neither a full member of the euro, nor committed to producing its own currency and rebuilding its economy outside the single currency zone.It is hard to see the benefits of casting Greece into a limbo where it would apparently be neither a full member of the euro, nor committed to producing its own currency and rebuilding its economy outside the single currency zone.
However there seems little doubt that, even if this weekend's talks prove fruitful, future negotiations between Greece and its creditors are likely to be fraught.However there seems little doubt that, even if this weekend's talks prove fruitful, future negotiations between Greece and its creditors are likely to be fraught.
Will a deal be reached?Will a deal be reached?
Why did Greece hold a referendum?Why did Greece hold a referendum?
Did Greeks really fail to pay 89.5% of taxes?Did Greeks really fail to pay 89.5% of taxes?
Arriving for the meeting, Mr Dijsselbloem admitted there were many concerns not only about "the content of the proposals, but also on the even more difficult issue of trust".Arriving for the meeting, Mr Dijsselbloem admitted there were many concerns not only about "the content of the proposals, but also on the even more difficult issue of trust".
"How can we really expect this government to implement what it's now promising. I think it's going to be quite a difficult meeting," he said."How can we really expect this government to implement what it's now promising. I think it's going to be quite a difficult meeting," he said.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was blunt: "We will definitely not be able to rely on promises."German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was blunt: "We will definitely not be able to rely on promises."
Mr Schaeuble was at the centre of a report in a German newspaper that he had drawn up plans for Greece to temporarily exit the eurozone if this weekend's talks fail - something Athens says it is not aware of.Mr Schaeuble was at the centre of a report in a German newspaper that he had drawn up plans for Greece to temporarily exit the eurozone if this weekend's talks fail - something Athens says it is not aware of.
There are also unconfirmed reports that Finland has refused to agree to the new bailout proposals, although on its own it is unlikely to stop any deal going ahead.There are also unconfirmed reports that Finland has refused to agree to the new bailout proposals, although on its own it is unlikely to stop any deal going ahead.
Greece's economy minister appeared confident that a deal would be done "in the next 24 hours", pointing out that Greece's creditors have said the proposed package is a basis for further talks.Greece's economy minister appeared confident that a deal would be done "in the next 24 hours", pointing out that Greece's creditors have said the proposed package is a basis for further talks.
"The government is committed, the parliament is committed to moving forward. Now we need to build trust," Mr Stathakis told the BBC's chief correspondent Gavin Hewitt."The government is committed, the parliament is committed to moving forward. Now we need to build trust," Mr Stathakis told the BBC's chief correspondent Gavin Hewitt.
If a deal is not agreed among the finance ministers, it will be discussed again by Eurogroup leaders meeting in Brussels on Sunday.
That meeting will be followed by a full meeting of EU leaders who, observers say, will probably be discussing Greece's exit from the euro if a deal has not been reached by then.
Crisis countdownCrisis countdown
Will EU leaders choose Grexit?Will EU leaders choose Grexit?
How has austerity affected the eurozone?How has austerity affected the eurozone?
Ripple effect of crisis reaches GeorgiaRipple effect of crisis reaches Georgia
Greece is asking creditors for €53.5bn ($59.47bn; £38.4bn) to cover Greece's debts until 2018, but the amount of the new bailout could reach €74bn, as Greece seeks a restructuring of its massive debt, which it says is unsustainable.Greece is asking creditors for €53.5bn ($59.47bn; £38.4bn) to cover Greece's debts until 2018, but the amount of the new bailout could reach €74bn, as Greece seeks a restructuring of its massive debt, which it says is unsustainable.
Of the €74bn, €58bn could come from the EU's bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism, with €16bn from the IMF, sources said.Of the €74bn, €58bn could come from the EU's bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism, with €16bn from the IMF, sources said.
The measures submitted in the new Greek document include:The measures submitted in the new Greek document include:
Mr Tsipras has admitted that the package "entails many proposals that are far from our pledges, from what we feel is right for the recovery of the economy" and were only "marginally better" than proposals put forward by the creditors last month.Mr Tsipras has admitted that the package "entails many proposals that are far from our pledges, from what we feel is right for the recovery of the economy" and were only "marginally better" than proposals put forward by the creditors last month.
Some members of the prime minister's own Syriza party voted against the proposals during the vote in parliament overnight, angry at his apparent U-turn on austerity.Some members of the prime minister's own Syriza party voted against the proposals during the vote in parliament overnight, angry at his apparent U-turn on austerity.
But, without a deal, Greece risks crashing out of the euro. But Greece's financial situation is dire.
Banks have been closed for two weeks now and a €60 (£43; $66) daily limit on cash machine withdrawals, imposed on 28 June, remains in force for Greek citizens. Many people say they have only been able to withdraw €50, as there are no smaller denomination notes.Banks have been closed for two weeks now and a €60 (£43; $66) daily limit on cash machine withdrawals, imposed on 28 June, remains in force for Greek citizens. Many people say they have only been able to withdraw €50, as there are no smaller denomination notes.
Greece's creditors - the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund - have already provided more than €200bn in two bailouts over the past five years. Mr Stathakis said that if a deal is reached this weekend, Greece's banks will reopen "very soon - within the week".
The second expired on 30 June, when Greece fell into arrears on an IMF loan. The capital controls, he said, "will take a few months to be totally removed - it will be a quick process as long as the deal is there".
Following the eurozone finance ministers summit, Eurogroup leaders will meet in Brussels on Sunday afternoon, followed two hours later by a full meeting of EU leaders.
At the scene: Jasmine Coleman, BBC News, AthensAt the scene: Jasmine Coleman, BBC News, Athens
Punters are watching for their numbers on TV screens outside a betting cafe in central Athens. Next to broadcasts of motorbike racing, lottery draws and athletics, TV commentators give the latest on the debt crisis.Punters are watching for their numbers on TV screens outside a betting cafe in central Athens. Next to broadcasts of motorbike racing, lottery draws and athletics, TV commentators give the latest on the debt crisis.
But George Vassis, 45, is not betting on the politics. "Who knows what will happen?" he asks. Like many here, he is weary after months of talks and economic decline.But George Vassis, 45, is not betting on the politics. "Who knows what will happen?" he asks. Like many here, he is weary after months of talks and economic decline.
He runs a business information company and wants an end to the current deadlock. "Something must be done. The measures the government is offering are bad, but it's the only way to go forward."He runs a business information company and wants an end to the current deadlock. "Something must be done. The measures the government is offering are bad, but it's the only way to go forward."
Mr Tsipras has faced backlash to his proposals, but for George much of the damage has already been done. His company will have to make redundancies either way - he is just waiting to find out how many.Mr Tsipras has faced backlash to his proposals, but for George much of the damage has already been done. His company will have to make redundancies either way - he is just waiting to find out how many.
Difficult times on Syriza's doorstepDifficult times on Syriza's doorstep
All Greek to you? Debt jargon explainedAll Greek to you? Debt jargon explained
How easy is it to swap currencies?How easy is it to swap currencies?