Pro-euro rally staged in Athens as Eurogroup debates Greek debt deal to avert default

A small symbolic pro- euro rally was staged in Athens on Thursday evening as Eurozone finance ministers were debating during a Euro Group meeting in Luxembourg proposals for a deal on the Greek debt crisis to stave off default and a possible Grexit this summer.

Greek citizens mobilized through social media took to the streets of the Greek capital gathering in front of the parliament to send a message to the government: strike an honest compromise with international creditors with no further delay and safeguard Greece's membership in the euro zone and Europe.

"We want to stay in Europe" was the main slogan chanted by protesters who are in favor of a deal at any cost rather than a rift with lenders which would lead debt laden Greece to unchartered waters after June 30.

Despite the small turnout on Syntagma square, compared to anti-bailout rallies of the past five years, the overwhelming majority of Greeks supports the country's stay in the euro zone even if more painful measures will be implemented.

If Athens will not repay on June 30 an already delayed 1.5 billion euro loan installment to International Monetary Fund, the countdown to default starts, officials and analysts warned.

Demonstrators on Thursday, among them deputies of the main opposition conservative party and the socialists, were waving Greek and EU flags.

Others were blowing whistles in order to be heard by the Leftist government which after five months of negotiations warns that it is ready for a "no" should they find the final draft deal not viable and to the benefit of Greek people.

"Greece belongs to Europe! It is time we join our voices in favor of our country's stay in the euro and the European family," read a Facebook feed.

On Wednesday a similar small demonstration supporting the government's "anti-compromise" stance in negotiations took place in front of the parliament with ruling Radical Left SYRIZA party legislators joining protesters. Endit