Tsipras to meet Hollande, Merkel ahead of EU summit

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras was scheduled to meet successively with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday morning ahead of a European Union summit meeting later in the day.

Tsipras was expected to raise the issue of the need for a swift conclusion to a second review of the country’s latest bailout program in view of embarking on discussions regarding the restructuring of its debt. 

Meanwhile, European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who met with Tsipras on Thursday, has rebuffed reports that the institution would take the initiative to handle Greece’s debt issue before the end of the year.