Respects 'NO' vote by Greek: EU

Brussels: The European Union has said it respects the "no" vote in Sunday's Greek debt deal referendum, following early results which have shown that the country overwhelmingly rejected the bloc's bailout offer.

"We have to respect the vote of Greek people," European Parliament President Martin Schulz on Sunday said in a statement, adding that "this is a difficult day", Xinhua reported.

NO led by 61.3 percent of votes against 39 percent for YES in the ballot that could determine whether Greece will head to a disorderly bankruptcy and possible Grexit, according to the latest official estimate released by the Interior Ministry with about 61. 3 percent of votes counted.