BRUSSELS – European Union leaders are to reconvene at 13:00 on Sunday in Brussels in an effort to reach an agreement on a Recovery Fund to help EU countries weather the coronavirus crisis. According to sources, there is greater optimism over the possibility of a deal than on Friday, while European diplomatic sources said that European Council President Charles Michel is expected to return with a new proposal, in a bid to overcome objections voiced by the Dutch government.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the European Council on Saturday.

During the meeting they discussed the Recovery Fund and the Multiannual Financial Framework, on which Greece and France have the same views. They also spoke about developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Mitsotakis participated in the first round of talks in Brussels on Saturday, which ended at 23:30 after a marathon 12-hour session. In addition to Greece, other member-states represented included Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also taking part.