DHAKA: Germany has rejected a Greek request for a six-month extension to its eurozone loan programme.

The rejection came despite the European Commission calling the Greek request ‘positive’ only minutes earlier.

Greece had sought a new six-month assistance package, rather than a renewal of the existing deal that comes with tough austerity conditions.

However, a German finance ministry spokesman said the new plea was ‘not a substantial proposal for a solution’.

Later on Thursday, Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras and German chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by telephone, according to the media.

One Greek government official described the 50-minute call as ‘constructive’, adding, ‘The conversation was held in a positive climate, geared towards finding a mutually beneficial solution for Greece and the eurozone’.

BDST: 0220 HRS, FEB 20, 2015