He said Greece's earlier request for help shows "real advances" toward dialogue in the latest crisis - even though the Greek government has yet to submit details of its proposed economic reforms in exchange for the new aid money.

Mr Valls warned of geopolitical consequences if Greece sinks into financial catastrophe, such as trouble dealing with high flows of immigrants from outside the European Union or worsening tensions with Russia.

He said France is pushing for compromises between Greece and creditors, because that's "how Europe was built."

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