The European Union has approved Greek efforts aimed at reducing its public deficit of 12.7 per cent, which has weighed the common currency of the euro down.<br /><br />Athens has pledged a number of austerity measures, including a public salary freeze, a higher retirement age for men and a hike in petrol prices to get its finances back in order.<br /><br />But the EU has said it will place Greece under economic scrutiny to ensure the country sticks to its measures. <br /><br />Barnaby Philips reports from Athens.<br /><br />February 3 2010
