Roundup: Greece optimistic about debt repayment arrangements, several more days needed for deal

The Greek government on Thursday expressed optimism over a "mutually acceptable" deal with international creditors on the country's debt repayment arrangements following the latest inconclusive talks in Brussels.

"We have found common ground in many issues," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told reporters after a marathon meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem.

But Greece and its international creditors still need a few more days to clinch a deal, he said.

The prime minister said that the meeting was conducted "in a positive mood," and that he welcomed the creditors' proposal on the primary surplus.

During the meeting, Tsipras was briefed on the proposal of European lenders and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new package of fiscal adjustment measures and reforms in exchange for further vital aid to stave off a Greek bankruptcy and exit from the eurozone.

"The conclusion of this discussion is that the proposal which has been tabled by the Greek side remains the only realistic one on the table," Tsipras said.

However, some of the creditors' other proposals were unacceptable, he said, referring to proposed measures on pensions and taxes.

"It was a good and constructive meeting," the European Commission said in a statement after the four-hour meeting in Berlaymont building, the headquarters of the European Union.

"Progress was made in understanding each other's positions on the basis of various proposals," the statement said.

No more details about the meeting were released, but the European Commission promised to do "intense work" in the next few days.

Greece is in tough negotiations with its international creditors for a cash-for-reform deal. It faces mounting pressure as it is due to make a repayment of 300 million euros (329 million U.S. dollars) to the IMF on Friday.

"Do not worry," Tsipras told media when asked whether Greece would repay the June 5 loan installment to the IMF.

Greek officials recently have said that the debt-laden country would struggle to cover it without a deal, increasing concern over an imminent credit event.

According to the Greek government sources, the creditors proposed 1 percent of GDP primary surplus for 2015 and 2 percent for 2016, which were close to the 0.8 percent and 1.5 percent respectively proposed by the Greek side.

Athens was not enthusiastic about creditors' requests for 1.8 billion euros in revenues in 2015 from the raise in the value-added tax rates on energy, food products and medicines, as well as the proposal for 1 percent of GDP cuts this year in the social security system, the sources said.

Regarding the debt relief discussion, which is a key Greek demand to ensure the sustainability of the Greek debt burden, the government sources said that it has not been examined in depth. Endi