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Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced a new series of more austere measures to tackle the economic crisis that affects the EU member state in a televised address to Greek people on Tuesday evening.

Stressing his government's determination to "stop the course of national economy and the country towards the precipice", Papandreou made a plea for national consensus, just a few hours before the European Commission announces its verdict on Greece's Stability and Growth Program, indicating Athens' will to implement all necessary policies.

Papandreou announced a general freeze of wages in the public and broader public sector, cuts in benefits by 10 percent, a freeze on hiring employees in state organizations for a year and the abolishment or merging of state organizations.

At this point the Greek premier indicated that most of the measures announced are expected to deliver results in 2011. But in order to increase revenues before the end of 2010, his government decided to also implement an increase on fuel taxes, as well as the retirement age, and a war on tax evasion.

"We will put an end to tax avoidance loopholes," Papandreou said, noting that the following week the new tax bill will be formally presented to parliament, paving the way for the taxing of big real estate ownership, dividends and off shore companies.

Greece's leader described the decisions as "difficult and painful", calling for a end to blockades by farmers who has protested for more than two weeks and staged strikes that are organized by unions. "The country cannot afford them at this crucial time," Papandreou underlined.

"We owe it to our country and our children to protect the national economy, as we protect our home and our family," he concluded.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet