Over in Greece, EU economic affairs commissioner Pierre Moscovici has completed a flying visit to Athens on an upbeat note saying the impasse between Greece and its creditors can soon be resolved. Helena Smith reports:

Emerging from a series of back-to-back meetings in Athens, the French commissioner expressed optimism that friction over the country’s latest bailout review would be resolved although the likelihood of that happening by February 20 when euro zone finance ministers next meet is almost impossible.

Following talks with prime minister Alexis Tsipras, Moscovici emphasized the need for Greeks “to see a light at the end of the austerity tunnel.” Earlier he had told reporters after a “very constructive” 30-minute meeting with finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos that Greece’s place was at the heart of the euro zone. ‘The fiscal targets can be met and overachieved… the will to go to a solution is there … and where there is a will there is a way.”

But despite the upbeat tone, Moscovici also insisted on the need for reform and said efforts were required “from all sides.”