Intensive last-minute negotiations hope to save Greece

Frantic efforts to save Greece from economic collapse intensified on Saturday night as the country’s leader engaged in a series of behind-the-scenes negotiations before an EU summit on Monday that are likely to decide the country’s fate.

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, met senior officials in an attempt to come up with a package of reforms which would guarantee emergency funds and avoid the nation defaulting on its gigantic debts. This would be the third proposal on the matter that the country has made to its creditors three weeks.

Greece’s minister of state, Alekos Flabouraris, who is widely seen as a mentor to the young Greek prime minister, said that Tsipras is to hold talks with the head of the European commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. Additionally, Tsipras has sent senior officials to Brussels.

The Greek cabinet will meet in an emergency session today .

The urgent talks came after Greece’s eurozone partners warned it that, after five months of fruitless talks, the country has until 30 June to secure €7.2bn (£5.1bn) in bailout funds. Greece has been assisted twice since 2010, but  a further failure to release the loans will result in default.  Greece owes €1.6bn to the International Monetary Fund at the end of the month.