Greece 'committed' to reforms to avert bankruptcy: Minister

ATHENS (AFP) - Greece is committed to reforms that are vital if it is to avert bankruptcy, the finance minister said in remarks published Sunday, warning the next few weeks were crucial for its future in the euro.

The comments by Yannis Stournaras came ahead of a meeting on Sunday with officials from the "troika" of international creditors - the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund on budget cuts needed to unlock the next tranche of aid under a massive bailout package.

"The country is committed to implementing a series of measures and reforms to revive the economy and permanently remove the threat of bankruptcy," Mr Stournaras told the Ethnos newspaper.

He acknowledged that Greeks have had to endure "major sacrifices" as the new coalition government imposes tough austerity measures, including salary and pension cuts, demanded by its creditors in return for aid.