Greek Prime Minster Tsipras urges 'permanent, mutually beneficial solution' on debt

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has put forward suggestions for a definitive and lasting solution to his country's debt crisis, a day ahead of talks. Tsipras urged an agreement that would be of mutual benefit.

The Greek prime minister's office said Tsipras had on Sunday spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

It said the proposals he made were aimed at reaching a "permanent solution" to the standoff between Greece and its creditors amid concern that the country might default and be forced to leave the euro. Tsipras' office said he had unveiled proposals for a "mutually beneficial deal" that would "not just postpone tackling the problem."

Tsipras was said to have met with senior advisers on Sunday, before flying out to Brussels in the evening. The anti-austerity government was said to have refined its proposals.

While further details were not disclosed, Greek Minister of State Nikos Pappas told the Greek newspaper "Ethos" that the government no longer wanted financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Talks have so far failed to produce results, with creditors insisting the ball is in Greece's court

Pappas said Europe had no need of the Washington-based institution, which has an "agenda which is not at all European."

Creditors, which include the European Commission, the IMF and European Central Bank, are under pressure to reach an agreement with Greece, which is feared is likely to default on its debt repayments at the end of the month. Such a default might place the country's membership in the European single currency group - an even the European Union - at risk.

The EU's involvement in the bailout providing 240 billion euros ($270 billion) in loans - on condition that the country put in place drastic austerity measures - runs out at the end of this month. However, IMF support was to supposed to continue to March 2016.

Merkel on Thursday said she was convinced "where there's a will, there's a way" ahead of the talks in Brussels on Monday. The chancellor said that, "It remains the case that Germany's efforts are aimed at keeping Greece in the eurozone."

rc/sms (AFP, Reuters)