The 8billion-euro ($11bn) loan must still be signed off by the International Monetary Fund.

Once this is done, Athens should get the funds in mid-November, officials said on Friday.

Ministers, who have begun several days of talks, also said they were working on a second rescue package for Greece.

The new plan for the debt-ridden country would include fresh aid money and contributions from the private sector.

However, no further details on the new package were disclosed.

The finance ministers are meeting in Brussels for negotiations aimed at resolving the eurozone's debt crisis and bolstering the region's banking sector.

On Saturday, ministers from all 27 EU countries will join the talks. EU leaders will also gather on Sunday, and have announced plans for an extra meeting on Wednesday.

But there have been widespread reports of deep divisions between France and Germany.

BBC