Luxembourg's Finance Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the eurozone finance ministers, says Greece does not need any financial help from the International Monetary Fund in combating its national deficit.

Some European politicians think the IMF would be more able to demand financial discipline from Greece, but Mr Juncker is among them.

Today, the EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Olli Rehn, is in Athens to discuss Greece's proposals to straighten out its government finances. In two weeks, the European Union will consider whether high-debt countries will be forced to take austerity measures like introducing wage cuts, employment freezes and longer working weeks.