Eurogroup Chairman Says No to Greek Proposal, Cuts Off Talks Until Sunday Referendum

Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Wednesday the 19 countries using the euro currency have broken off financial bailout talks with Greece until a Sunday referendum. “… Given the political situation, the rejection of the previous proposals, the referendum which will take place on Sunday, and the recommendation by the Greek government to vote ‘No,’ we see no grounds for further talks at this point,” he says in this video.

Greece’s prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, continued on Wednesday to push for a “no” vote in the Sunday referendum, which would reject creditors’ proposals to settle loans. Tsipras said a “no” vote would not mean Greece would lose its place in the European Union.

Yanis Varoufakis, Greece’s finance minister, said a deal with lenders could be reached after the referendum. Reports have also surfaced, however, saying some officials are questioning whether the referendum will have any validity, since little time for discussion remains. Varoufakis said the two sides remain “very close” on austerity measures but need more negotiation. Credit: Facebook/Council of the European Union