'Up to Greece to make proposals': France says after referendum
(PARIS) - French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said Monday it was up to the Greek government to make new proposals after a referendum rejected bailout proposals made by international creditors.
"The vote itself solves nothing," Sapin said in the first reaction from Europe's second economy.
He said communication channels with Greece were "very limited" and mainly passed through France, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and his Eurogroup counterpart Jeroen Dijsselbloem.
He said no solution could be found until German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds talks with French President Francois Hollande at a dinner meeting in Paris Monday night.
"Europe is facing a difficult moment but it is not in difficulty itself," said Sapin.
"Europe will show it is strong by protecting itself."