European shares closed higher on Tuesday as optimism gathered pace that Greece's parliament will vote to approve the tough austerity measures needed in exchange for financial aid from international lenders, Reuters reported. Banking shares rose on expectations a parliamentary approval would save Greece from a default, with sentiment in the sector also boosted by news Germany will meet its top insurers and banks to discuss a French proposal for private sector involvement in a Greek debt rollover. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares provisionally closed 0.6 percent higher at 1,081.17 points. Banks were among the top gainers with the STOXX Europe 600 banking index up 1.5 percent. -- SPA