Cyprus gov't urges Greece to strike deal with its lenders

Cyprus's finance minister Harris Georgiades called on Greece on Tuesday to close the gap with its international lenders and strike a deal that will assure it of continued financing.

His call came after Greece turned down a proposal presented at a finance ministers Eurogroup meeting in Brussels on Monday night extending its international bailout program.

"The Greek government knows the realities and it has to make its decisions. The onus is on the Greek government now and if Athens wants to extend its program it must request it now," Georgiades told Cyprus's state radio in a telephone interview from Brussels. Endit