Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism Minister Giorgos Stathakis said on Sunday that he is optimistic about the outcome of the negotiations between Greece and its international creditors.

We had a calm and joint discussion, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in the early hours of Friday after the end of the seven-part meeting on Greece in Brussels, saying that all sides committed to the implementation of the decision taken by the Eurogroup on February 20.

The Taoiseach (Premier) of Ireland launched a scathing attack on the Greek government and warned that "time is running out" for Athens to work out a deal with the EU on its massive €240bn bailout.