EU demands political 'clarity' from Greece before new aid

(BRUSSELS) - Greece must provide "clarity" about its political and economic situation before it can get any new bailout aid, the European Commission said Monday as Greek politicians sought to name a new prime minister.

"First we need clarity about political and economic developments in Athens, then we will proceed with this discussion today," economic affairs commission spokesman Amadeu Altafaj said ahead of a meeting of eurozone finance ministers.

"We expect in particular this evening (Greek Finance) Minister (Evangelos) Venizelos to report to the Eurogroup on these developments, and discussions will start from that point," Altafaj said.

Eurozone ministers meet in Brussels from 1600 GMT to debate whether the conditions have been met to release to a new Greek government 8.0 billion euros ($11 billion) in aid from an existing 110-billion-euro bailout.

The ministers have held back the aid until Greece proves it is committed to backing a new debt rescue package that includes tough austerity measures.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, who is stepping down, was to hold more talks with conservative opposition leader Antonis Samaras on Monday to form a unity government tasked with passing the new deal.