Wide differences over pension and labour reforms continued to dog intensive talks between Greece’s leftist government and its international creditors, despite progress in other areas as the country’s cash position becomes increasingly critical.

Greece’s government sought to assure its creditors and investors yesterday that it can cover its funding needs this month, including repaying a €1.5bn loan to the IMF.

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras began the task of selling a provisional deal with eurozone partners to extend bailout funds after securing a reprieve from the prospect of insolvency.

The Greek government promised to do “whatever we can” to secure a deal with its international creditors next week, cheering investors as experts from both sides began technical talks yesterday to lay the ground for an accord.

Greek officials and the country’s creditors extended discussions through the weekend, as they raced to make progress ahead of the meeting of euro-area finance ministers in Brussels today.

The Greek government promised to do “whatever we can” to secure a deal with its international creditors next week, cheering investors as experts from both sides began technical talks yesterday to lay the ground for an accord.