Europe: Stocks fall at open

[LONDON] European stock markets fell at the start of trading on Tuesday with all eyes on Greece following the collapse of bailout talks.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index slipped 0.28 per cent to 6,838.06 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 slid 0.69 per cent to 10,847.73 points and the CAC 40 index in Paris lost 0.65 per cent to 4,720.93 compared with Monday's close.

Eurozone ministers have handed Greece an ultimatum to request an extension to its bailout programme after the crucial talks collapsed, deepening a bitter standoff that risks seeing Athens bid farewell to the euro.

Despite the acrimony, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said on Monday the different sides could come to an agreement on the bailout within the next two days, with the possibility of another make-or-break meeting on Friday.

AFP