German media today are mainly focusing on the meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande, ECB President Mario Draghi, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and IMF director Christine Lagarde, in Berlin. The German newspapers Die Welt, Die Zeit and Handelsblatt published articles entitled “A last offer to Greece, while Frankfurter Allgemeine’s article was entitled “Merkel concluded the last chance evening summit” and Suddeutsche Zeitung notes that yesterday’s meeting was “A final proposal.” According to Die Welt the meeting was intended to make a final offer to the Greeks, based strictly on the basis of the current program.” Indeed, according to the German newspaper, Athens made efforts to approach its creditors. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hinted that he is ready to discuss raising the retirement age and making pension cuts. However, the final proposal has not yet been made. Frankfurter Allgemeine noted that the German government representative Steffen Seibert pointed out that the five officials agreed to seek a solution, but remain in close contact with the Greek government. Furthermore, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported that many believe the five officials’ discussion in Berlin, which lasted about three hours, is the prelude to a decision on Greece’s future in the Eurozone. During the summit held in Berlin, Greece’s creditors attempted to reach a final compromise, noted Die Zeit. However, the results of this meeting have not yet been announced. The Greek debt issue is now entering its last phase, noted Handelsblatt, explaining that on Friday, Athens needs to pay a 300 million euro installment. The country’s international creditors noted that the Greek government should accept a compromise package, but they have not managed to reach an agreement, the newspaper added. Finally, Der Spiegel reported that Greece’s creditors held an extraordinary meeting in Berlin in order to determine their next steps, in the absence of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. The institutions are planning a last compromise proposal for Athens, noted the article.
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