Greece's new prime minister has said his interim government would focus on implementing a European debt rescue deal, warning that failure to do so could force the country out of the eurozone.
In his first parliamentary address since taking office at the head of a national unity government on Friday, Lucas Papademos said progress had been made on tackling Greece's debt crisis but more was needed to keep it in the single currency.
"The new government of cooperation and me personally, we undertake the responsibility at this critical moment because the country's participation of the eurozone is at stake," the stern-faced 64-year-old said.
He promised to continue reforms introduced by his socialist predecessor George Papandreou, who sat in the front row for the speech, but also warned there could be new measures introduced in the months ahead.
"To continue the effort to clean up and restructure the economy, it is necessary firstly to continue Greece's monetary and economic support from its European peers and the IMF," he said.
"And secondly, the application of a new programme of economic adjustment aiming to address the fiscal deficit in a faster and more efficient manner, and to fully restore and improve competitiveness."
Mr Papademos, a former deputy chief of the European Central Bank, took the helm of government after a week of intense political bargaining between rival parties following Papandreou's resignation.
But despite opinion polls showing he has public support, Mr Papademos is in a race against time.
Mr Papademos said new government estimates put the deficit at "around nine percent" of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011, down from 15.7% in 2009 and 10.6% in 2010, but warned that public debt was increasing.
"The main task of this government as agreed by political leaders under the president is to carry out the decisions of the (EU) summit, and to apply economic policies linked to these decisions," he said.
At an all-night summit last month, eurozone leaders agreed a second package which gives Athens €100bn in loans, the same amount in debt reduction and a further €30bn in guarantees, but only in return for painful austerity measures.
Mr Papademos was speaking at the start of a three-day parliamentary debate on his appointment, culminating in a vote of confidence late Wednesday, which he is expected to easily carry.
In his speech, which was received in silence, he urged the socialist, conservative and far-right nationalist parties which comprise the coalition to agree to Brussels' demand and sign a written pledge to implement the reforms.
Antonis Samaras, leader of the conservative New Democracy party, has opposed any written pledge.
But Mr Papademos said: "It is mainly in our own national interest, but is also an obligation to other people's in return for the solidarity shown to us."
His government must adopt measures needed to secure the next installment of the international bailout loan within weeks, while the conservative and far-right nationalist parties in the coalition want elections early next year.
On Friday, representatives from the EU, European Central Bank and IMF are to visit Athens to resume their audit of progress with reforms to restructure the economy and reduce the public deficit, the Greek finance ministry said.
They will assess whether conditions are ripe for the disbursement of eight billion euros in loans frozen since August, which are due from a 110-billion-euro rescue package from the EU and IMF that Greece agreed in May 2010 in a first bailout.
Athens only has enough reserves to last until 15 December.
The government is to auction €1bn in three-month treasury bills on Tuesday, a modest amount but which will be closely watched as an early test of market sentiment on the new government.
