国际英语新闻：Greece may introduce additional austerity measures to meet targets

ATHENS, June 1 (Xinhua)-- Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou left open the possibility of implementing more austerity measures, in case Greece will not reach the targets set to overcome a severe economic crisis, Greek media reported on Tuesday.

According to a report published in daily VIMA, Papaconstantinou did not exclude the option in a letter sent to Eurogroup head Jean-Claude Juncker, the EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn and the European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet.

"Greek authorities believe that the policies chosen are sufficient to meet the goals of our economic plan, but remain ready to take any new measures necessary to achieve the target," he wrote in the letter dated May 3.

Greece signed with the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) a deal the following day to receive financial aid in exchange for implementing a harsh program to fix its finances over the next three years.

The debt crisis in Greece sparked fears across the eurozone of a possible spread of the crisis and a destabilization of the common currency, euro.

By June 15, a new team of EU-IMF auditors is expected in Athens to supervise the implementation of the pledged measures and reforms. The outcome will determine whether the deal will run smoothly and Greece will get the second package of funds in autumn.