Greece still rejects some of creditors' proposals

Greece still rejects some of the reform plans put forward by its EU-IMF creditors but sees a willingness to reach a deal in coming days, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Thursday after crunch bailout talks in Brussels.

"There are points that no one would consider as a base for discussion," Tsipras told reporters after talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem.

"The talks will continue in the coming days."

The European Commission -- the executive arm of the 28-member European Union and one of Greece's creditors along with the International Monetary Fund and Euroepan Central Bank -- said in a statement that there had been "progress" during the talks.

"It was a good, constructive meeting. Progress was made in understanding each other's positions on the basis of various proposals. It was agreed that they will meet again," it said.

"Intense work will continue."
Tsipras, whose anti-austerity Syriza government has been locked in a four-month stand-off with its creditors to unlock the last tranche of its bailout package, said the European Commission showed it was ready for a quick solution.

"There was proof from the Commission that it is at least disposed towards reaching a realistic agreement very quickly," he said.

"The more we talk sincerely, the closer we will get to a mutually acceptable solution."

Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who heads the bloc of eurozone finance ministers, earlier said there had been progress.

"Very good meeting, we will continue the talks in a few days," Dijsselbloem said.
Source: AFP