France’s Sapin maintains mediator’s role in Eurogroup

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said he would continue to play the mediating role at the meeting of the eurozone's 19 finance ministers, in line with recent efforts by the country.

He conceded that the Greek government had a lot of persuading to do following a marked deterioration in relations with international creditors.

Sapin said the whole eurogroup needs to be convinced that the economic reform proposals the Greek government has made in order to get its hands on a three-year bailout will actually be enacted.

Sapin said Greece's European partners want to hear the nitty-gritty: "How are you going to do it? At what moment are you doing to do it? At what tempo are you going to do it."

Providing answers to those questions, will help drive confidence, Sapin said.

[AP]