Germany said Wednesday that talks this week on a deal to help prevent Greece from defaulting on its debt would be conducted on the basis of a proposal put forward by creditors, not by Athens.

"I have the impression that the list (of reforms drawn up by Greece) will not be the ultimate solution to the problem," finance ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger told reporters.

He said that an offer to Athens drawn up by the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank would, "for us, be the relevant basis for talks".