EU's Juncker pledges 2bn euros for Greek 'humanitarian crisis' Published duration 20 March 2015 Related Topics Greece debt crisis

image copyright EPA image caption Greece's financial crisis has forced many to rely on handouts and soup kitchens

The EU has pledged €2bn (£1.45bn; $2.15bn) to ease what it calls Greece's "humanitarian crisis" - echoing a term used by Greece to describe the results of its financial crisis.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the money would be spent on growth and "social cohesion".

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras welcomed the move, stressing a common need to tackle the humanitarian crisis.

EU leaders say Greece is due to produce a reform plan to fend off bankruptcy.

Mr Juncker's announcement came after marathon talks between Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders in Brussels, on the sidelines of an EU summit.

Mr Tsipras needs EU support for reforms to unlock vital funds, avoid possible bankruptcy and a eurozone exit. The leftist leader has pledged to end austerity - but his plans have met resistance from Greece's EU creditors.

image copyright AP image caption Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras needs EU support for reforms to unlock vital funds for his country

Separately, EU leaders at Brussels said they would travel to Tunisia at the end of the month to show their support for the country's fight against terrorism, after a gun attack at a museum in Tunis killed 23 people, including 20 foreign tourists, many of them from Europe.

EU officials also discussed a response to the growing instability in Libya, and a crisis prompted by the flow of boats carrying migrants from Africa.

'A good sign'

Speaking in Brussels, Mr Juncker said Greece had a serious social problem.

"Humanitarian crisis it has been called and it is indeed a humanitarian crisis," he said.

He said the EU would provide Greece with €2bn worth of development funds to boost economic growth, cut youth unemployment and help the poor.

Mr Tsipras said the move was "a good sign".

"It was recognized that there is a humanitarian crisis in our country and that there must be a common effort against it - because it was not the result of some natural catastrophe.''

The funds promised by the EC are not linked to the international loans that Greece has been discussing with the EU.

image copyright EPA image caption Millions of Greeks have been affected by tough budget cuts by Greece's previous government

Our correspondent says Greece will only get those loans once its list of reforms has been evaluated for its impact on the country's finances, and approved by EU nations.

The current assumption is that Greece has only enough cash to meet all its obligations until sometime next month.

Greece negotiated a four-month extension to its bailout last month after tense talks with creditors.

Eurozone leaders are ready to extend help on Greece's €240bn (£176bn; $272bn) bailout until the end of June.

To persuade the EU of its credit-worthiness, Greece has announced a series of reforms. But it also wants the EU to agree new terms for the long-term repayment of its debts.