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 7 Version 8
Greece debt crisis: Eurozone summit resumes search for deal Greece debt crisis: Athens offered 'euro time-out'
(about 1 hour later)
A eurozone summit has resumed its work after being temporarily suspended to enable leaders to meet Greek PM Alexis Tsipras separately over a bailout deal. An option enabling Greece to leave the eurozone temporarily if a bailout is not agreed is among a raft of measures being considered by Eurogroup leaders.
Mr Tsipras met the German chancellor, the French president and the EU president, as they work to try and reach a deal by the end of Sunday. The 19 leaders are meeting late into the night to try to reach agreement on a deal that will prevent Greece's economy from collapsing.
Leaders are discussing new proposals put forward by their finance ministers. The document of measures is the result of two days of fraught talks among eurozone finance ministers.
A draft of the package suggests Greece could temporarily leave the eurozone if no agreement on a bailout is reached. One Greek government official called the proposals "very bad".
The four-page document says "Greece should be offered swift negotiations on a time-out from the euro area, with possible debt restructuring". Another unnamed official said some of the proposals appeared designed to "humiliate" the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Syriza government.
Follow the latest updates hereFollow the latest updates here
Another suggestion is the establishment of an independent fund in which to transfer "valuable Greek assets... to be privatised over time and decrease debt". The four-page document of draft proposals put forward by eurozone finance ministers include:
The document notes that Greece has agreed to introduce new legislation by Wednesday of a raft of new reforms on VAT and pensions among others.
It also says the Greek government would carry out "ambitious" reforms to pensions and labour markets, "significantly" scale up its privatisation programme and "strengthen the financial sector".
The document noted that the amount of the new bailout could reach €86bn, exceeding the €53.5bn ($59.47bn; £38.4bn) Greece is seeking to cover its debts until 2018.
"The text in its entirety is very bad," one Greek government source was quoted by local media as saying. "We are trying to find solutions."
Tough choices for Greece - by Paul Kirby, BBC News website Europe editorTough choices for Greece - by Paul Kirby, BBC News website Europe editor
There may only be four pages, but if this draft document is agreed, it would be an extremely difficult pill for Greeks to swallow.There may only be four pages, but if this draft document is agreed, it would be an extremely difficult pill for Greeks to swallow.
For Alexis Tsipras and his left-wing Syriza-led administration, some of the ideas would be little short of humiliation.For Alexis Tsipras and his left-wing Syriza-led administration, some of the ideas would be little short of humiliation.
Even if Greek MPs pass sweeping reforms by Wednesday, the government would have to allow international creditors full monitoring of its work in Athens and agreement of draft laws in advance.Even if Greek MPs pass sweeping reforms by Wednesday, the government would have to allow international creditors full monitoring of its work in Athens and agreement of draft laws in advance.
Syriza came to power promising an end to such oversight.Syriza came to power promising an end to such oversight.
Another possible step is to "amend or compensate" for any laws Syriza pushed through that ran counter to what was agreed with the eurozone in February.Another possible step is to "amend or compensate" for any laws Syriza pushed through that ran counter to what was agreed with the eurozone in February.
That might mean overturning the reinstatement of 4,000 civil servants such as school guards and cleaning ladies.That might mean overturning the reinstatement of 4,000 civil servants such as school guards and cleaning ladies.
And if Greece could not agree to that it could be offered "time-out" from the eurozone, and the chance of restructuring its debt.And if Greece could not agree to that it could be offered "time-out" from the eurozone, and the chance of restructuring its debt.
Are Greeks heading for Grexit?
Could euro survive temporary exit of Greece?
Why did Greece hold a referendum?
Arriving for Sunday's meeting, France's President Francois Hollande dismissed any suggestion of a "time-out" for Greece.Arriving for Sunday's meeting, France's President Francois Hollande dismissed any suggestion of a "time-out" for Greece.
"There is no temporary Grexit, there is a Grexit or there is not a Grexit," he said, adding that he would "do everything to find a deal tonight"."There is no temporary Grexit, there is a Grexit or there is not a Grexit," he said, adding that he would "do everything to find a deal tonight".
Mr Tsipras was also 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 also upbeat, telling reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... we can reach an agreement tonight if all parties want it."
Mrs Merkel said the key requirement for her is that "the conditions are met" to start negotiations on a third bailout. But Mrs Merkel said "the most important currency has been lost... trust and reliability" in the last few months of negotiations with Greece, and there would be "no agreement at any price".
"That's what is at stake, nothing more and nothing less," she said. "We have to make sure the pros outweigh the cons - for Greece's future, for the entire eurozone and the principles of our collaboration," 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."
The head of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, said a deal was absolutely vital to the future of Europe.The head of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, said a deal was absolutely vital to the future of Europe.
"The alternative will be that over the next few years we are going to find ourselves in a catastrophic state of affairs as far as Greece is concerned," he told a news conference in Brussels."The alternative will be that over the next few years we are going to find ourselves in a catastrophic state of affairs as far as Greece is concerned," he told a news conference in Brussels.
The Greek government earlier this week set out a new list of austerity measures to try to secure the bailout.The Greek government earlier this week set out a new list of austerity measures to try to secure the bailout.
They included many measures that had been rejected by the Greek people in a referendum a week ago.They included many measures that had been rejected by the Greek people in a referendum a week ago.
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: