Europe

Europe

Greece has "will to change" - prime minister

28 September 2011 03:54 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in another attempt to secure crucial financial aid and said Athens will meet all terms needed for the loan, DPA said, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.

Papandreou’s visit to Berlin came ahead of the vote on additions to the European rescue fund. Before a formal dinner with the chancellor and other German officials the Greek premier said his country had the "will to change."

"Where big efforts are being undertaken and big sacrifices made by the Greek people, it’s very important to get signals of support from the European partners," Papandreou said.

Merkel said her country was ready to support Greece, but reiterated that Athens must fulfill all the terms to receive the aid.

The Greek government is struggling to convince EU/IMF lenders that the country is on a path to recovery. If it fails, Greece could run out of cash.

In an attempt to meet the target of 7.6% budget deficit, the government announced a new austerity package last week, including cuts in public-sector salaries and pensions, furloughs for 30,000 state employees through the end of the year, and changes in the tax system, in response to the demands of international lenders.

Some 400 people still rally near the Greek parliament after minor clashes with police. Police spokesman said officers had to use tear gas against the crowd after people protesting against the adoption of a new property tax hurled stones at them.

Athens municipal officials, border guards and police protested against the unpopular austerity measures earlier in the day.