国际英语新闻：Eurozone leaders endorse standby aid plan for Greece

BRUSSELS, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Eurozone countries agreed on a bailout plan for debt-hit Greece late Thursday night, combining bilateral loans and money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a standby aid package for the country.

The eurozone leaders have sent a strong "political signal" by adopting the plan, Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, told a press conference at the end of the first day of the European Union (EU) spring summit.

Van Rompuy said the bailout plan was not only for Greece, but also for the stability of the European economy and the global financial market.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou speaks to media upon his arrival to a Sociallist Party Group (PSE) meeting prior to the European summit in Brussels, capital of Belgium, March 25, 2010. Papandreou on Thursday urged European Union leaders to stabilize the euro while the cash-strapped country determines to continue a program to cut its ballooning budget deficit.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also hailed the plan, saying the eurozone leaders have made "the right decision" and created a "safety net" for Greece. He said the eurozone leaders have delivered on their promise made at the informal summit in February, at which they pledged to"take determined and coordinated action, if needed, to safeguard financial stability in the euro area as a whole."

According to a statement released by the eurozone leaders, Greece can only draw on the aid fund as a "last resort" and under strict conditions.