Most stock indices closed higher as concerns over Greece's bailout policy eased. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) rejected comments on Wednesday that it has discussed with Athens a new debt strategy.

Earlier, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said in a newspaper interview to La Repubblica that his government has proposed to the IMF a debt renegotiation.

Retail sales in the Eurozone rose 0.3% in December, beating expectations for a 0.1% decrease, after a 0.7% gain in November. November's figure was revised up from a 0.6% rise.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone surged 2.8% in December, after a 1.6% increase in November. November's figure was revised up from a 1.5% gain.

Eurozone' final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) climbed to 52.7 in January from a preliminary reading of 52.3. Analysts had expected the final index to remain at 52.3.

Germany's final services PMI rose to 54.0 in January from a preliminary reading of 52.7. Analysts had expected the final index to remain at 52.7.

France's final services PMI decreased to 49.3 in January from a preliminary reading of 49.5. Analysts had expected the final index to remain at 49.5.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. climbed to 57.2 in January from 55.8 in December, exceeding expectations for a rise to 56.6.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,860.02 -11.78 -0.17%

DAX 10,911.32 +20.37 +0.19%

CAC 40 4,696.3 +18.40 +0.39%