国际英语新闻：Greek PM seeks consensus on austerity measures and reforms with social partners

ATHENS, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou held a meeting with representatives of the Greek business world and labor unions on Thursday, seeking consensus on his government's austerity policies, as Greek economy and people face a harsh autumn.

Social partners expressed objections to certain measures introduced so far and structural reforms underway, presenting the Greek premier with a string of alternative proposals to overcome the acute economic crisis the country faces.

"It is important to reach a national strategy through dialogue. It is important we show that despite different opinions, there is a national effort," said Papandreou during the meeting in the presence of many cabinet ministers.

"It is very important that Greece shows to the whole world who is watching, that (we) will beat the crisis. Because if the world sees a country tripping over, this image will be presented ten times worse than the real situation," he stressed.

Greece is due to receive the second tranche of financial aid by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this September to face the crisis, but in exchange for that, is also under pressure to stick to a harsh Stability and Growth Program of austerity measures and reforms that causes strong reactions of Greek society.

After a short break during summer holidays, the government faces a new wave of demonstrations starting from the Thessaloniki International Fair in northern Greece, which will be inaugurated by Papandreou on Sept. 11.