George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, has asked the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to activate a financial aid package, designed to help pull the euro zone member out of its debt crisis.

Officials from Europe and the IMF are meeting in Athens to work out the fine print for an emergency rescue plan for Greece.
 
The Greek government says it does not necessarily want a bailout, but it may have no choice.

Greek ten-year bonds have dropped for the eighth day as investors desert the market, and measures to cut spending and raise taxes have led to public outrage, with yet another national strike putting pressure on the government.
 
So what conditions will a bailout bring? And what of the rest of Europe?
 
Inside Story, with presenter Shiulie Gosh, discusses with guests: Vagelis Agapitos, an independent economist in Greece; Matina Stevis, the London correspondent for Greek newspaper Elef-therotypia; and Max Keiser, an economic analyst.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Thursday, April 22, 2010.