Athens asked for a $60 billion loan package to help the Greek economy though its worst crisis in decades.
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou asked for the package that could unlock up to $60 billion in low-interest loans, to be provided by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, BBC News reports.
Papandreou said calling for outside help was necessary because the market didn’t respond positively to the government’s austerity measures.
The European Commission and leaders across Europe Friday said they would unlock the necessary funds as quickly as possible.
Greece this week reported a worse-than-expected deficit of 13.6 percent of gross domestic product.
Thousands of workers have gone out on strike to protest the austerity steps, which include pay cuts and higher taxes, installed to address the economic problems.
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