Obama, Merkel discuss Greek debt crisis: White House
US President Barack Obama has discussed Greece’s debt crisis with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on phone, according to the White House.
"We continue to encourage all sides to participate constructively in those conversations," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Obama spoke to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras by telephone just before an emergency eurozone summit in Brussels.
Tsipras briefed Obama on Greece's request for a loan to save its economy, according to a Greek government official.
The official said the US president had expressed hopes for a successful outcome to the negotiations between the Greek government and its international lenders.
Merkel said as she arrived for the emergency summit that "we still do not have the basis for negotiations."
On Sunday, the German chancellor and French President Francois Hollande called for a summit of the European Union following the rejection of another tough austerity package in return for fresh bailout loans by the majority of the Greeks.
The calls were made after 61.31 percent of the Greek voters opposed an austerity package by the country’s international lenders.
In reaction to the results, Greek conservative opposition chief Antonis Samaras announced his resignation.
Following the call for an EU summit made by Merkel and Hollande, EU President Donald Tusk said on Twitter that the summit would be held on Tuesday evening “to discuss situation after referendum in Greece.”
Greek premier Tsipras, however, told the nation in a televised address that "Together we have written a bright page in modern European history."
About 38.70 percent voted ‘Yes’ in the referendum to accept fresh bailout loans from the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In a short statement, the European Commission showed respect to the decision made by the Greeks in rejecting the bailout loans.
“The European Commission takes note of and respects the result of the referendum in Greece,” the statement read.
GJH/GJH
Russia: Poland’s talks on hosting US nuclear weapons ‘dangerous’
Russia says weighs downgrading ties with US if assets are seized
Iran urges US to stop support for Israel as university revolt spreads
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | American, Israeli rabbis call for ceasefire during protest near Gaza
Iran calls for enhanced defense cooperation with Russia
US campus crackdown: 500 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested
VIDEO | Yemenis rally in Sana'a in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza
VIDEO | Jordanians march after Friday prayers in support of Palestinians
Far-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir injured
Germany clears pro-Gaza camp as US-style demos spread across Europe
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
