All the latest economic and financial news, including reaction to Alexis Tsipras’s TV interview last nightThe Agenda: Greece, and UK GDPOvernight, Tsipras claims initial deal could come soon 8.04am BST There’s a sense of optimism this morning after Greece’s prime minister declared an initial deal with the country’s creditors could be reached by the end of next week.In a late-night interview with Star TV, Alexis Tsipras said that:“Our goal... is to reach a first agreement this week if possible, or next week at the latest....I believe we are close.”Tsipras says he hopes there'll be initial deal at Brussels Group this week/next week at latest. "We're close to a minimum package" #GreeceTsipras explains resistance to raising VAT on islands is because lower rates are there to balance higher costs faced by islanders #Greece“If I end up having an agreement that puts me outside the limits (of my mandate), I will have no other resort....The people will decide obviously without elections, I want to make that clear.”#SYRIZA #Tsipras #interview, answering voters questions http://t.co/F3JKkhPhGn #Merkel #Varoufakis #Draghi #Eurogroup pic.twitter.com/oplkoFdT5VTsipras says Merkel has shown intention for deal with #Greece. Failure to reach agreement would be failure for her and Greek gov't #enikosTsipras says Varoufakis is a "significant asset" for gov't & #Greece, has full backing #enikosTsipras suggests enmity towards Varoufakis from EZ finmins is because they would prefer to deal with someone who is compliant #Greece 8.02am BST Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial market, the eurozone and business.Reacting to the news, a senior European Union official confided that it had become “impossible” to do business with Varoufakis. “It had got to the point where eyes roll,” he said.“People had got sick and tired of being lectured about austerity and the effects of the crisis. Any sympathy for Greece was eroded by his failure to draft concrete proposals.” Related: Greece tries to ease tensions with lenders by reshuffling negotiating team Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Tue Apr 28 pic.twitter.com/s10qwPvOPGThose BP first quarter numbers nowhere near as bad as expected. Interesting one to watch at 8 a.m. open. https://t.co/ngsoSsP5We Continue reading...
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