European Council President Donald Tusk rejected Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras request to extend the bailout loan period to Greece for about a week, until the debt-ridden country holds a referendum about its future.
Tusk told Tsipras on Monday hat he saw no willingness among member states to agree to his request.
"After consultations with the leaders, in the absence of new elements, I see no willingness to go against the positions expressed by finance ministers at their June 27 meeting," Tusk said in a letter leaked by the Financial Times that was sent in reply to request from Tsipras for a one-month extension of credits.
He said that following the expiry on Tuesday, June 30, of the bailout programme, Greece could apply for new assistance.
“In Europe, the door for negotiations always remains open in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility,” the EC president noted.
The Greek government wanted the extension ahead of a snap referendum the Greek Prime Mminister Tsipras announced in the first hours of Saturday. EU partners have been caught by surprise by the announcement which subsequently led to a week-long “banking holiday” and restrictions on cash withdrawals.