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M. Continuo

Varoufakis rules out 'Grexit', deal possible if Merkel takes part


    BERLIN (Reuters) - Greece Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said he could rule out a 'Grexit' because it would not be a sensible solution to the Greek debt crisis and in a German newspaper interview on Monday also said a debt restructuring was the only way forward.

    "I rule out a 'Grexit' as a sensible solution," Varoufakis told Bild newspaper. "But no one can rule out everything. I can't even rule it out a comet hitting earth."

    Varoufakis said that he believed it could be possible for Greece to reach an agreement with creditors quickly. He said the only way Greece would be able to repay its debts is if there is a restructuring and a deal could be possible if Chancellor Angela Merkel took part in the talks.

    "We don't want any more money," he said, adding Germany and the rest of the eurozone had already given Greece "far too much" money. "An agreement could be reached in one night. But the chancellor would have to take part."

    (Reporting by Erik Kirschbaum)