This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33499650
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Greece debt crisis: Merkel says talks 'extremely difficult' | Greece debt crisis: Merkel says talks 'extremely difficult' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has called the talks on Greece's debt rescue "extremely difficult" and ruled out "agreement at any price". | Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has called the talks on Greece's debt rescue "extremely difficult" and ruled out "agreement at any price". |
| She was speaking as she arrived in Brussels for a meeting of the other 18 eurozone leaders to discuss the deal. | She was speaking as she arrived in Brussels for a meeting of the other 18 eurozone leaders to discuss the deal. |
| They are considering proposals by eurozone finance ministers which would impose tough conditions on Athens. | They are considering proposals by eurozone finance ministers which would impose tough conditions on Athens. |
| Greece risks being ejected from the eurozone if a deal to rescue it from financial collapse is not reached. | Greece risks being ejected from the eurozone if a deal to rescue it from financial collapse is not reached. |
| Finnish Finance Minister Alex Stubb said one condition in the ministers' proposal requires Greece to implement new laws by Wednesday. | Finnish Finance Minister Alex Stubb said one condition in the ministers' proposal requires Greece to implement new laws by Wednesday. |
| Greece will also be required to introduce tough conditions on labour reform, VAT and taxes, and tough measures on privatisation and privatisation funds, Mr Stubb told reporters. | Greece will also be required to introduce tough conditions on labour reform, VAT and taxes, and tough measures on privatisation and privatisation funds, Mr Stubb told reporters. |
| The head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said a "couple of big issues" remain which would be left to the heads of government to rule on, though he did not give details. | The head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said a "couple of big issues" remain which would be left to the heads of government to rule on, though he did not give details. |
| Mrs Merkel told reporters that the eurozone leaders would be considering whether "the conditions are met" to start negotiations on a third bailout. | Mrs Merkel told reporters that the eurozone leaders would be considering whether "the conditions are met" to start negotiations on a third bailout. |
| "That's what is at stake, nothing more and nothing less," she said. | "That's what is at stake, nothing more and nothing less," she said. |
| But she warned that there would be "no agreement at any price", adding: "We have to make sure the pros outweigh the cons - for Greece's future, for the entire eurozone and the principles of our collaboration." | But she warned that there would be "no agreement at any price", adding: "We have to make sure the pros outweigh the cons - for Greece's future, for the entire eurozone and the principles of our collaboration." |
| Mr Tsipras was more upbeat, telling reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... we can reach an agreement tonight if all parties want it." | Mr Tsipras was more upbeat, telling reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... we can reach an agreement tonight if all parties want it." |
| Analysis: Laurence Peter, BBC News | |
| Chancellor Merkel and other eurozone leaders say there can be no third bailout unless trust is restored with the leftist Greek government. | |
| After months of delay and political upheaval in Greece this is a make-or-break summit - not least because Greek banks are desperately short of cash. | |
| A deal tonight could pave the way for a third bailout - but the process is fraught with uncertainty. | |
| A deal would require Greece to enact laws immediately to reform its pension system, sales tax (VAT) and labour market. | |
| Ambitious privatisation is required too - something that has been delayed for years. | |
| But the Finnish and German parliaments have to vote even to allow new bailout talks to start. | |
| The future of the euro is at stake - and that is concentrating minds. | |
| Prior to the finance ministers meeting, many had spoken of a breakdown in trust between Greece and other eurozone nations over the negotiations. | Prior to the finance ministers meeting, many had spoken of a breakdown in trust between Greece and other eurozone nations over the negotiations. |
| Reports on Saturday suggested that German ministers were drawing up a plan that would allow Greece to exit the eurozone temporarily if this weekend's talks fail - something Athens says it is not aware of. | Reports on Saturday suggested that German ministers were drawing up a plan that would allow Greece to exit the eurozone temporarily if this weekend's talks fail - something Athens says it is not aware of. |
| This idea was also dismissed by France's President Francois Hollande who said: "There is no temporary Grexit, there is a Grexit or there is not a Grexit." | This idea was also dismissed by France's President Francois Hollande who said: "There is no temporary Grexit, there is a Grexit or there is not a Grexit." |
| He said France would "do everything to find a deal tonight, allowing Greece, if the conditions are met, to remain in the eurozone and allowing Europe to progress". | He said France would "do everything to find a deal tonight, allowing Greece, if the conditions are met, to remain in the eurozone and allowing Europe to progress". |
| The new austerity measures submitted by Greece include: | |
| Why did Greece hold a referendum? | |
| Did Greeks really fail to pay 89.5% of taxes? | |
| Greece is asking creditors for €53.5bn ($59.47bn; £38.4bn) to cover its debts until 2018. | Greece is asking creditors for €53.5bn ($59.47bn; £38.4bn) to cover its debts until 2018. |
| However, the amount of the new bailout could reach €74bn as Greece seeks a restructuring of its massive debt, which it says is unsustainable. | However, 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 have said. | Of the €74bn, €58bn could come from the EU's bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism, with €16bn from the IMF, sources have said. |
| The Greek government this week set out a new list of austerity measures to try to secure the bailout - many of which had been rejected by the Greek people in a referendum last Sunday. | The Greek government this week set out a new list of austerity measures to try to secure the bailout - many of which had been rejected by the Greek people in a referendum last Sunday. |
| As the talks drag on, Greece's financial situation is close to collapse. | As the talks drag on, Greece's financial situation is close to collapse. |
| Greece fell into arrears on an International Monetary Fund repayment on 20 June and faces a €3bn payment to the European Central Bank on 20 July. | Greece fell into arrears on an International Monetary Fund repayment on 20 June and faces a €3bn payment to the European Central Bank on 20 July. |
| Banks have been closed for two weeks and a €60 daily limit on cash machine withdrawals, imposed on 28 June, remains in force for Greek citizens. | Banks have been closed for two weeks and a €60 daily limit on cash machine withdrawals, imposed on 28 June, remains in force for Greek citizens. |
| Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis told the BBC on Saturday that if there was a deal, banks could reopen within the week, but he admitted it could take a "few months" to remove capital controls. | Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis told the BBC on Saturday that if there was a deal, banks could reopen within the week, but he admitted it could take a "few months" to remove capital controls. |
| Are you in Greece? What is your reaction to the latest developments? Are you planning to travel to Greece this summer? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story. | Are you in Greece? What is your reaction to the latest developments? Are you planning to travel to Greece this summer? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |