White House calls on Greece, EU to find compromise

(WASHINGTON) - The White House urged Greece and EU leaders Monday to find a compromise to keep the cash-strapped country in the eurozone, after Greeks voted resoundingly to reject an austerity-based bailout.

"The referendum is over, but our view here at the White House remains the same," said spokesman Josh Earnest.

EU and Greek officials need "to agree to a package of reforms and financing that would allow Greece to be on a path toward debt sustainability but also economic growth," Earnest told reporters in a briefing.

They should do so "in a way that would allow Greece to remain part of the eurozone," he said.

"This is a European challenge to solve," he added.

It was the first official US comment on Sunday's referendum in which Greeks voted by a 61 percent majority to reject a bailout deal from the European Union that required more austerity and reform, handing a victory to the ruling radical Syriza party.