Germany Optimistic Greek Debt Deal Will Be Struck Soon - by Andrea Thomas

The German government is optimistic that a deal in the Greek debt talks will be struck soon, officials said Friday.

"I assume that the necessary negotiations between private-sector creditors and Greece will come to an end," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters. "We are confident that an agreement will be found within the scope of what has been set in December."

Finance ministry spokeswoman Marianne Kothe said Germany is "optimistic, as Mr. Seibert has said, that negotiations will be finalized soon."

Greek debt swap negotiations with representatives for private-sector creditors over a EUR100 billion debt write-down were continuing Friday. A person close to the talks said Friday that negotiations have edged toward an agreement, with bond holders apparently willing to accept lower yields on their future holdings of Greek debt.

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