Debt talks: Greece PM, EU’s Juncker likely to speak over phone

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker are likely to speak by phone in an attempt to break the deadlock over a cash-for-reforms deal for Greece, a Greek state minister said on Saturday.

Juncker has been seen as more sympathetic to Greece’s position in the standoff over Greece’s debt, although he reportedly warned Athens last week not to rely on him to avert a collapse in the debt talks. Euro zone leaders will hold an emergency summit on Monday.

“I am among those who believe that we are heading towards a solution,’’ State Minister Alekos Flabouraris told Greek Mega television in a morning news show.

Asked whether there would be a teleconference on Saturday, he said: “I believe that there will be one. It has not been arranged yet. Tsipras is flying back from Moscow. He will be in Athens after 1230 (0930 GMT). I believe that some kind of communication will be sought (by Juncker) in the evening hours.’’