Greece made a small interest payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday, but European lenders dashed hopes for a cash-for- reforms deal before a more crucial, bigger instalment Athens must pay next week.

The eurozone’s top official has said “time is running out” for Greece to reach a deal with bailout creditors.

After weeks of what was described by eurozone president Jeroen Dijsselbloem as "wasting time", agreement was reached to start technical talks with Greece on its bailout.