Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's finance minister says in a perfect world he'd like to take a break from arduous negotiations with bailout creditors for a drink with Scarlett Johansson, but isn't keeping his hopes high.
Euclid Tsakalotos tried to lighten the mood at a parliamentary briefing on the bailout talks Thursday, describing the main opposition party's economic program as highly optimistic— like his chances of a date with the American actress.
"I, too, would like to go for cocktails with Scarlett Johansson, but that doesn't mean anything," Tsakaloto said.
Tsakalotos, 57, is leading the tough negotiations over new austerity cuts and reforms Greece must implement to receive further rescue loans.
He said he hope a comprehensive agreement can be reached by April 7, when finance ministers from European countries that use the euro currency are scheduled to meet.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
