New Greek PM will meet EU leaders

Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos will meet with European Commission officials in Brussels next week, during his first trip since taking office as head of a unity government, his office said Tuesday.

“Mr Papademos will meet on Monday with European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission chairman Jose Manuel Barroso,” it said, adding that the specific times would be released at a later date.

The EU, before releasing the delayed loan instalment, expects written pledges from the new government and its political allies that deficit reduction targets and a structural shake-up to improve competitiveness will be carried out.

So far, one of the coalition partners, conservative leader Antonis Samaras, has strenuously objected to the EU’s request.