Eurozone officials pessimistic ahead of meeting
Among officials arriving in Luxembourg for the keenly awaited eurozone meeting there is a distinct lack of optimism over the prospects of a Greek deal.
Pierre Moscovici, the European Union’s top economy official, says the meeting will be “very difficult” but that he hopes everyone turns up “with cool heads and the political will to succeed.”
While reiterating that the EUs executive arm will do what it can do get a deal, he acknowledged that a Greek exit from the euro was being discussed by some.
“The stakes are extremely high for the Greek people and all of Europe,” he said.
Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt said it all depends on the Greeks: “If there are reasonable proposals, we will certainly discuss them.”
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, who said this week he wouldn’t be bringing any new proposals to the meeting, refused to comment. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the eurozone’s top official, also declined to speak.
[AP]
