Greek police declare much of Athens center off-bounds to protesters ahead of EU meetings

ATHENS, Greece – Greek authorities have banned demonstrations in much of central Athens to forestall planned anti-austerity protests at this week's meetings of European Union finance ministers.

Labor unions and leftwing groups have called for three separate rallies Tuesday outside the prohibited area, but it was unclear whether demonstrators would challenge police cordons and try to reach Parliament, the customary focal point for protests.

Discussions at Tuesday and Wednesday's meetings will include Greece's austerity program and market reforms demanded under the terms of its international bailouts.

Deeply-resented spending cuts and tax hikes since 2010 have slashed incomes and fuelled a deep recession that Greece hopes to pull out of this year, while unemployment is a record 28 percent.

Strikes and protests have been common, and ferry seamen on Monday started rolling two-day walkouts.