Greece optimistic on deal with eurozone next week

Athens

GREECE is optimistic about reaching a deal on economic reforms with its eurozone peers early next week, unblocking urgently needed funding, its economy minister said on Thursday.

After talks with EU leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the past week, Athens said that it would present a package of reforms to its eurozone partners by Monday in the hope of unlocking aid and avoiding bankruptcy. "I believe that at the beginning of next week we will have an agreement on the package of reforms the Greek government is proposing, and on the funding of the country," Economy Minister George Stathakis told Antenna TV.