Premier says Greece will not need help amid debt crisis, EU leaders offer political support

Greek premier says his country won’t need help

BRUSSELS — Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou says his country “will not be needing help” amid its debt crisis.

After EU leaders offered political but no financial support to Greece at a summit Thursday, Papandreou said, “Today the EU conveyed a crystal clear message to the market.”

He said Greece convinced his EU partners “we mean business.”

He said Greece “never asked for any help” and added that it “will not be needing help” in the future.

The euro currency is facing its worst crisis in its 11-year history amid the Greek debt crisis and EU leaders are seeking to calm speculation that it could spread to other vulnerable countries.

Papandreou said Greece asked the International Monetary Fund for help on technical issues.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet says he will join in monitoring Greece’s budget cuts — and planning new ones if necessary.

He said, “One can count on our permanent alertness.”

“I confirm that the ECB will work with the (European) Commission in this exercise of monitoring the implementation of the Greek recommendations and will work with the Commission in working out proposals for needed additional measures,” he told reporters after meeting EU leaders in Brussels.

EU leaders meeting in Brussels offered moral support but no firm financial aid to Greece amid its debt crisis.