Berlin and the European Commission expressed surprise on Monday over the Greek government’s latest statement of abandoning the goal of an interim loan agreement extension with creditors in favor a comprehensive deal extending well past June. The German side, via comments by the alternate spokesperson for the German finance ministry, referred to weekend press reports citing “progress in negotiations” in tandem with still “unresolved issues”. “We have extensively discussed all the steps that are necessary to reach a conclusion of the program and the disbursement of the remaining funds (7.2 billion euros),” the spokeswoman said, adding that every tranche outlay must be approved by Germany’s Bundestag. Meanwhile, in Brussels the same day, Reuters quoted Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas as saying that Athens and its international creditors held constructive talks on the “Greek issue” over the weekend, although more remains to be done. “The Brussels group has been in session throughout the weekend and continues to be in session. Talks have been constructive but more work remains to be done. The next opportunity for finance ministers to take stock will be the Eurogroup of May 11,” Schinas  said during a regular press briefing. Finally, an article in the Financial Times on Monday relates how the Greek side allegedly alienated French FinMin Michel Sapin at last Friday’s Eurogroup meeting in Riga – which by “Greek side” it means Yanis Varoufakis. The report was noteworthy given the fact that Sapin has been viewed as more sympathetic to the radical leftist SYRIZA government’s positions since it took office, in relation to other Eurozone members, of course. “Greece must go faster now … We’re wasting time, and time is precious … We need serene days so that the Greek government can breathe,” he was quoted as saying. FT then cites what it calls French government officials, who point out that a tougher stance by Paris reflects “impatience” at the lack of progress in negotiations and Athens’ looming repayment deadlines.