Eurozone faces 'critical week' over debt crisis: Papandreou

The eurozone faces its "most critical week" as leaders battle to reach a lasting solution to the debt crisis that has shaken the European currency, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said today.

The week ahead "will determine the fate of the eurozone", Papandreou said ahead of a meeting with President Carolos Papoulias, warning of prolonged "insecurity" unless definitive decisions are taken at a European summit on Sunday.

Greece has been kept waiting for two months for the latest slice of bankruptcy-saving funds, part of a 110-billion-euro ($151-billion) loan from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund agreed last year.

Accused by its peers of dragging its feet over tough economic reforms promised in return for the money, the Greek government has gone into overdrive this past month, pushing through new austerity legislation that has caused widespread protests.

A two-day general strike will be held on Wednesday and Thursday against the cuts.