Reader TTS

In a message to Athens, Merkel pointed to the Irish recovery and improvement in Cyprus' economy as examples of how austerity measures tabled by Greece's creditors can work. The

German chancellor's tough stance at putting pressure on Greece to make concessions towards a deal comes after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras labeled proposals tabled by creditors

as "absurd." However, Merkel's stance was somewhat countered by messages coming from the French leaders. French President Francois Hollande, who is also attending the G7

summit, struck a much more conciliatory tone, saying that creditors could make alternative proposals to Greece in order to break the deadlock and prevent the country from leaving the

Eurozone. This followed more confusing comments from French Finance Minister Michel Sapin earlier this morning, who said that any potential Grexit from the Eurozone would not have a major

impact on the rest of the bloc. Speaking on RTL radio, Sapin said he expected a deal to be made soon — but fired off a warning shot to Athens should the impasse continue. "It would be

no drama for us to see Greece leaving the euro. It would not be serious from a financial or economic point of view. However, it would be a blow to the European project, because the European

project is not to shrink but to enlarge, not to see members excluded but to welcome more." The contradicting messages and demands from EU members and the creditors has been something

that has been highlighted by Greece as a major reason that has delayed negotiations and prevented a deal from being made. Critics have criticized the actions of the creditors during 

negotiations, saying the differing demands have made it almost impossible for Athens to try and strike a deal. > Martin Schulz: "For Greece, leaving the €uro means automatic EU > 

exit". So, another good reason for Syriza to stick to its > position. > — Roger Helmer (@RogerHelmerMEP) June 8, 2015 However, the significance of seeing potentially compromising

messages coming out of Germany and France has not been lost on analysts, who have suggested it could be a sign of cracks starting to show in the Paris-Bonn axis, which has been seen as a

cornerstone of the EU, particularly amid growing Euroscepticism throughout both countries, as well as in Greece and the UK.