German finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble has said that Greece cannot be allowed to access more EU funding, without re-committing to economic reforms and austere policies.

"They settle for saying ‘we need more money now and we won’t do anything anymore’ and insult the others," referring to countries like Ireland who followed severe austerity programmes.

Speaking to the German TV station ARD, he added:

"That’s not on. The Greek government must tell us how it wants to resolve Greece’s problems."

Ahead of Monday's gathering of euro zone finance ministers, Mr Schaeuble accused the Syriza government of "acting irresponsibly."

The Greek government has confirmed that it will table a request for a loan extension - which it distinguishes from an extension of the full bailout programme.

This would give the country up to six months to renegotiate the terms of the country's bailout - it hopes to do this outside of the current EU/IMF bailout deal which is due to expire on February 28th.

Government spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis spoke to Antenna TV:

"Deliberations are going on to find common ground. We want to believe that we are on a good path. We are coming to the table to find a solution," he says.

The framing of this deal is at odds with the line in the sand drawn by many EU countries who are insisting that the only option available to Greece is a continuation of the current EU/IMF bailout.

Wolfgang Schaeuble said yesterday: "It’s not about extending a credit programme but about whether this bailout programme will be fulfilled, yes or no."