×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
25
Jul 2026
weather symbol
Athens 24°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Economy

Critical Eurogroup meeting ends abruptly

An almost unbridgeable chasm separates the views of both sides

Newsroom February 16 08:25

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

The Eurogroup meeting ended abruptly on Monday evening, with the Greek side referring to an unacceptable “trap” from the appearance of a draft text it charges was merely a reheated memorandum agreement.

The text was leaked hours earlier, generating a quick “ochi” (no) by the Greek side. Athens’ radical leftist government was represented by FinMin Yanis Varoufakis, amongst others.

Statements are expected by Varoufakis and Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijssenbloem.

Key statements from Finance Ministers arriving in Brussels

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble

Earlier, upon his arrival at the Eurogroup meeting, the German FinMin made the following statement: “As long as Greek Govt doesn’t want a program, I don’t have to think about options.”

Schaeuble also told reporters that he is skeptical about today’s negotiations and that the chances of the two sides reaching an agreement are low.

Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan

The Irish FinMin stated upon his arrival that there is possibility for a new Eurogroup meeting on Friday, if today’s talks fail.

Noonan stated that, although the program runs out for Greece at the end of February, he still doesn’t know what the country’s specific requests are. However, he noted that the Eurozone FinMins would certainly accede to a Greek request for an extension of the program.

Austrian Finance Minister Hans Joerg Schelling

The Austrian FinMin stated that he has no expectation that an agreement will be reached today between the two sides. As he said, “last Wednesday’s experience showed us that we can agree, however we weren’t able to issue a joint statement.”

Schelling underlined that a solution is possible, despite the numerous obstacles. “It is a question of days rather than weeks and the problem is not the markets, but the cooperation diffuculties between Eurogroup and Greece.”

French Finance Minister  Michel Sapin

The French FinMin told reporters that a ‘good solution’ would be that Greece’s current program is extended, so that both sides will have more time for talks.

Spanish Finance Minister Luis De Guindos

>Related articles

Campaign for lower supermarket prices begins – Discounts of up to 20% starting August 31

ELSTAT: Household disposable income at €39.13 billion in the first quarter, up 3.2%

ETCS to be 100% installed by the end of August, says Hellenic Railways CEO

Luis De Guindos has declared that he has a red line that can’t be broken: “Greece must repay its debts in full”

Varoufakis – Dijsselbloem meeting

It should also be noted that Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis and Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem met on Monday ahead of the Eurogroup meeting. Varoufakis and Dijsselbloem arrived at the premises where the meeting of the Eurozone Finance Ministers will be held, and entered the meeting without making any statements to the press.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More Economy

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Greek Patriot battery in Saudi Arabia shoots down another drone launched from Yemen

July 25, 2026

Marc Poll: Final survey before the August holidays: New Democracy leads ELAS by 14 points, PASOK in third place, Karystianou’s support plunges

July 25, 2026

A life-sentenced inmate from Diavata Prison ordered the Egyptian man who was preparing a grenade attack: The target was Isidoros Dogiakos

July 25, 2026

“There is no time to lose”: Greece pushes for Mount Olympus to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List

July 25, 2026

Greek Patriot missiles in Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles launched from Yemen

July 25, 2026

Fiery nightmare in France: Seven municipalities evacuated as wildfire approaches Bordeaux

July 25, 2026

Campaign for lower supermarket prices begins – Discounts of up to 20% starting August 31

July 25, 2026

Unsettled weather continues today – Highest-level alert for the Sporades & Evia

July 25, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα