Greek government to stick to deficit reduction plan - Papandreou

ATHENS, May 28 (Itar-Tass) -- The Greek government will strictly abide
by the plan to reduce the budget deficit, agreed with the EU and the IMF,
Prime Minister Georgious Papandreou said in a televised address to the
nation after a failed attempt to convince the leaders of major opposition
parties to support the program for austerity measures needed to get in
June the next tranche of EU and IMF loans in an amount of 12 billion euros.
"The government has assumed the responsibility for leading the country
out of crisis and together with the entire Greek people we will fulfill
this obligation," the prime minister said. "Together with other political
forces or without them we will do what is necessary to defend the country
and its citizens."
Papandreou said that the government will "secure the country's
financing today and in the future and effect major reforms and changes
that should have been carried out many years ago."
"In the coming days we will complete the necessary negotiations and
take all necessary decisions, regardless of their political price," said
the prime minister.
The head of the Cabinet said that at Friday's meeting with President
Karolos Papoulias he had suggested that the leaders of four opposition
parties should agree on the following items: give a joint response to the
vital issue of reducing the external debt and budget deficit, in
cooperation with foreign partners adopt a balanced budget and achieve a
primary surplus in 2012, take the bold decision to reduce the inefficient
state apparatus and implement the privatization program for the use of
state property for economic development.
According to Papandreou, there are still opportunities to develop
solutions together with opposition leaders. The head of government
categorically stated that there would not be early parliamentary elections
and the Council of Ministers would stay in office till the end of its
mandate in 2013.