Negotiators from Greece learned about the referendum on the country’s debt from Twitter – RBC

Greek Finance Minister Janis Varufakis gives a press conference at the meeting of the European Commission

Photo: AFP

The decision to hold a referendum on Athens’ anti-crisis plan for the creditors became negotiators from Greece, representatives of the European Union and the International Monetary Fund as a complete surprise, writes Bloomberg citing close to the negotiations between representatives of the EU. According to the agency, they learned about it from Twitter.

While in Brussels, it became clear to the Greeks that their efforts are futile, shortly before midnight on Friday, when they first heard about the referendum, says Bloomberg. Shortly thereafter, according to the agency, they left the premises of the European Commission.

The representatives of the European Commission then called President Jean-Claude Juncker, who, according to the source Bloomberg, did not know about the popular vote, despite the fact I spent the last few weeks in direct talks with the prime minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras.

Bloomberg was unable to obtain comment from the government operating in Greece.

As the representative agency of the EU, to midnight Friday, the mood among both parties – creditors and representatives of Athens – has been quite positive. They worked on the agreement, which was to be presented the next morning. In particular, the Greek Finance Minister Janis Varufakis Friday night gave the Greek television interview in which he positively assessed the talks, said Bloomberg.

Shortly after the collapse of talks Eurozone finance ministers refused to renew the program of financial aid to Athens. This was decided at an extraordinary meeting in Brussels on Saturday. The parties once again tried to reach an agreement between Greece and its creditors. Thus, the Greek loan program will end on 30 June. If this day Greece will not be able to make a payment to € 1,538 млрд the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country could face default and exit from the euro zone.

On Saturday night, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced the decision to bring the conditions of the European creditors on financial aid to Greece for a national referendum. He is scheduled for July 5. According to Tsipras, the participants of the Eurogroup set for Greece unacceptable conditions which are contrary to European values.

The head of the IMF Christine Lagarde said that the referendum in Greece will have no legal force, because it will be held after June 30, when the current program of financial assistance has ended. In an interview with B – Bi -SI, she explained that people will vote on the proposals of the lenders who “will no longer take place».

Lagarde He added that the Greek government still has time to change his mind and accept the proposals of the creditors. She stressed that if there are voices in support of the preservation of the country in the eurozone and save the economy, the lenders are willing to negotiate Greece.