The Greek premier tells Greece's international creditors not to impose “excessive" demands on the cash-strapped country.

Alexis Tsipras made the remarks in a statement on Monday prior to the planned emergency talks with Greece's creditors, i.e., European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The statement said "abandoning excessive primary (budget) surpluses, protecting salaries and pensions, avoiding excessive and unreasonable hikes in electricity (rates)" are instrumental in a final accord.

Tsipras, however, assured the eurozone leaders and money lenders that Athens would agree with the terms of any “viable economic accord."

Monday's summit of the 19-nation eurozone comes amid increasing efforts to conclude a deal to free up 7.2 billion euros ($8.2 billion dollars) needed by Athens to cover a 1.5 billion debt repayment to the IMF, due June 30.

Granting the bailout would allow Athens to avoid a default and a possible exit from the euro single currency zone.

Upon arrival at the meeting in Brussels on Monday, Finnish Finance Minister Alexander Stubb said, "I have very low expectations for today."

IMF Director Christine Lagarde has expressed concern about the bleak prospect of the Greek debt crisis, criticizing Athens for refusing to “restore a dialogue with adults in the room."

XLS/KA/HMV