Greek PM accuses lenders of blackmail ahead of weekend eurozone talks

The Greek Prime Minister has accused his country’s creditors of “blackmail” - and has vowed to fight for mutual respect from the European Union. Speaking in Brussels, Alexis Tsipras told reporters: “The European Union founding principles were democracy, solidarity, equality and mutual respect. It was not based on blackmail and ultimatums.” Creditors have offered Greece a five-month, €12bn extension of the country’s current bailout programme, on the condition that a raft of reforms are implemented. Speaking briefly at the EU summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Greece to accept the deal, describing it as “extraordinarily generous”.

Saturday’s meeting is crucial because we are on the eve of a date, June 30, when the Greek authorities have to meet a payment obligation. It’s also crucial because there are parliaments that have to meet if there’s a deal.

Francois Hollande, French President

Mr Tsipras met with Mrs Merkel, along with French President Francois Hollande, ahead of crunch talks to try and reach a deal on his country’s debt crisis. He told them that Greece was frustrated with the “harsh measures” creditors are demanding in exchange for the €7.2bn its economy badly needs, according to a Greek government official. Even if an agreement is thrashed out with the EU and the IMF, Mr Tsipras would still need to convince his anti-austerity Syriza party to approve concessions needed to unblock the desperately needed bailout funds.

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