EU's Oettinger says Greece deal possible next week

"We are working so that Greece stays in the euro zone," Oettinger told German radio Deutschlandfunk.

"On this basis I think an agreement will still be possible in the next eight days - if necessary via a further meeting of government leaders," he said.

The Eurogroup will meet in Brussels on Friday to discuss further help for Greece.

Germany has rejected a Greek proposal for a six-month extension to its euro zone loan agreement, saying it was "not a substantial solution" because it did not commit Athens to stick to the conditions of its international bailout.

(Reporting by Gernot Heller; Writing by Caroline Copley; Editing by Hugh Lawson)