MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Kurkcu has proposed that Turkey undertake Greek loan repayment to the IMF due to be made before Tuesday midnight.
"In my opinion, it would be a very effective diplomatic step that could prevent a Greek default, allow the country to hold a referendum peacefully and to express [Turkey's] solidarity with the Greek people," Kurkcu said.
Commenting on the proposal, a lawmaker from the Greek ruling Syriza party, Sia Anagnostopoulou, told Sputnik that the mutual assistance and support of neighboring countries was a key factor in Europe's democracy and stability.
Greece's state debt exceeds $350 billion, of which $270 billion is owed to the European Central Bank (ECB), the IMF and the European Commission.
Greece has until Tuesday midnight to transfer the next 1.6-billion-euro payment to the IMF before the current aid package expires. Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has stated that the country cannot make the payment.