The EU executive on Thursday urged European decision-makers to put aside differences "at this critical juncture" and agree on a package for a second bailout of Greece by July 11.
As debt-stricken Athens faced trouble on the street and in government, economic affairs commissioner Olli Rehn said he was confident the 17 eurozone finance ministers would agree at meetings on Sunday and Monday on the disbursement of the latest tranche of Greece's first 110-billion-euro ($155 billion) bailout loan.
He added: "I call on all EU decision-makers, and more particularly the finance ministers of the euro area next Sunday, to overcome the remaining differences and come to a responsible agreement at this critical juncture."
At the talks the ministers would also discuss the terms of a second bailout for Greece "with a view to taking decisions at the next Eurogroup meeting of July 11".