BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, the Greek government announced a national referendum on July 5 for voters to decide whether to accept the deal offered by the lenders. Many European finance ministers were "negatively surprised" with the move.
"What is France's position? Respect for democracy. We have to respect this procedure [the referendum]," the French minister said at a press conference adding that no country within the Eurozone wants Grexit.
Athens and its major international creditors have until Tuesday to agree on financial aid package for Greece before the June 30 deadline of the current bailout program expires.
The same day, Greece must deliver the $1.7-billion payment to the IMF. If Athens fails to do so, it may default and exit eurozone.
