ATHENS, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) - The cabinet of Greece's socialist party PASOK which won Sunday's general elections in the country was sworn in on Wednesday morning and the new ministers took over from their conservative predecessors in a series of official ceremonies that lasted until afternoon.

    During the first cabinet meeting Wednesday, the new prime minister George Papandreou announced the basic principles, core values and priorities of his government.

    "Today we change chapter and all Greeks united we embark on a new course for a country we will be proud of," Papandreou said, stressing the main guidelines of the new government and its goals, such as quick economic recovery and development, modernizing of public services, transparency and better protection of people's rights.

    Promising a strong fight against corruption and mismanagement of public wealth, meritocracy and a new mentality in finding solutions to crises, Papandreou asked the ministers to tell the citizens only the truth, even if it is bitter, and not hide problems.

    He pledged that the new government will seek the consensus of other parties and citizens to advance the necessary policies and measures to face the country's issues, having in mind the public interest.

    The new prime minister who kept the foreign policy portfolio for himself, stressed his will to work in a spirit of national unity during the handover ceremony at the Foreign Ministry.

    The outgoing Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis wished the government the best and promised that the opposition will support Papandreou in all efforts to advance the interests of Greece.