Greece

People walk past the Bank of Greece headquarters in Athens on November 18, 2010. Greece on November 18 announced an austerity budget aiming to slash its bulging deficit by 7.4 percent of output next year, exceeding targets set under the terms of a bailout loan with the EU and IMF.

Greece's former deputy Foreign Minister and appointed Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas attends the swearing in ceremony of the new government members at the Presidental Mansion in Athens on September 7, 2010. Prime Minister George Papandreou reshuffled his government on September 7, to speed up the economic revival of recession-mired Greece, which had been on the brink of bankruptcy, the government spokesman said.

Greece's new Economy and Competitivity Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis, former Civil Protection Minister, attends the swearing in ceremony of the new government members at the Presidental Mansion in Athens on September 7, 2010. Prime Minister George Papandreou reshuffled his government on September 7, to speed up the economic revival of recession-mired Greece, which had been on the brink of bankruptcy, the government spokesman said.

Greece's former deputy Foreign Minister and appointed Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas attends the swearing in ceremony of the new government members at the Presidental Mansion in Athens on September 7, 2010. Prime Minister George Papandreou reshuffled his government on September 7, to speed up the economic revival of recession-mired Greece, which had been on the brink of bankruptcy, the government spokesman said.

Chairman of the Bank of Greece George Provopoulos makes a statement to the press during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou (unseen) at the Prime Minister's office in Athens on August 19, 2010. The European Commission recommended today that debt-stricken Greece should get the second tranche of a rescue loan arranged in May after Athens met conditions set for the payment.

People walk past the Bank of Greece headquarters in Athens on November 18, 2010. Greece on November 18 announced an austerity budget aiming to slash its bulging deficit by 7.4 percent of output next year, exceeding targets set under the terms of a bailout loan with the EU and IMF.

ATHENS ,GREECE - OCTOBER 15: Tourists stand beside riot police guarding the Acropolis as it remains closed at the main entrance of the ancient site on October 15, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Workers kept the Acropolis shut for a third day as strikes continue, while riot police have been standing guard at the entrance to ensure Greece's most famous monument isn't taken over by protesters.

Chinese shipping giant Cosco chairman and CEO Wei Jiafu looks on signing bilateral agreements on investment and tourism between Greece and China in Athens on October 2, 2010. Greece has told Cosco that strikes which frequently cripple business in the country will not affect a 35-year port concession vital to its debt-hit economy, Cosco said Friday. Last year, Greece granted Cosco a 35-year concession on the two main container terminals at Piraeus in a deal for a guaranteed premium of 3.4 billion euros (four billion dollars).

ATHENS ,GREECE - OCTOBER 15: The Acropolis remains closed as riot police stand guard at the entrance of the ancient site on October 15, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Workers kept the Acropolis shut for a third day as strikes continue, while riot police have been standing guard at the entrance to ensure Greece's most famous monument isn't taken over by protesters.

ATHENS ,GREECE - OCTOBER 15: The Acropolis remains closed as riot police stand guard beside tourists at the main entrance of the ancient site in Athens on October 15, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Workers kept the Acropolis shut for a third day as strikes continue, while riot police have been standing guard at the entrance to ensure Greece's most famous monument isn't taken over by protesters.

ATHENS ,GREECE - OCTOBER 15: The Acropolis remains closed as riot police stand guard at the main entrance of the ancient site on October 15, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Workers kept the Acropolis shut for a third day as strikes continue, while riot police have been standing guard at the entrance to ensure Greece's most famous monument isn't taken over by protesters.

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona prepares to shake hands with Greece's players at the end of the Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match Greece vs Argentina on June 22, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. Argentina defeated Greece 2-0. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE.

ATHENS ,GREECE - OCTOBER 15: The Acropolis remains closed as riot police stand guard beside tourists at the main entrance of the ancient site on October 15, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Workers kept the Acropolis shut for a third day as strikes continue, while riot police have been standing guard at the entrance to ensure Greece's most famous monument isn't taken over by protesters.

ATHENS ,GREECE - OCTOBER 15: The Acropolis remains closed as riot police stand guard beside tourists at the main entrance of the ancient site on October 15, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Workers kept the Acropolis shut for a third day as strikes continue, while riot police have been standing guard at the entrance to ensure Greece's most famous monument isn't taken over by protesters.

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona prepares to shake hands with Greece's players at the end of the Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match Greece vs Argentina on June 22, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. Argentina defeated Greece 2-0. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE.

Argentina's striker Lionel Messi (C) is challenged for the ball by Greece's midfielder Giorgos Karagounis (L) and Greece's defender Socrates Papastathopoulos during the Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match Greece vs. Argentina on June 22, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.

ATHENS ,GREECE - OCTOBER 15: The Acropolis remains closed as riot police stand guard beside tourists at the main entrance of the ancient site on October 15, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Workers kept the Acropolis shut for a third day as strikes continue, while riot police have been standing guard at the entrance to ensure Greece's most famous monument isn't taken over by protesters.

ATHENS ,GREECE - OCTOBER 15: The Acropolis remains closed as riot police stand guard beside tourists at the main entrance of the ancient site in Athens on October 15, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Workers kept the Acropolis shut for a third day as strikes continue, while riot police have been standing guard at the entrance to ensure Greece's most famous monument isn't taken over by protesters.

Chinese shipping giant Cosco chairman and CEO Wei Jiafu looks on signing bilateral agreements on investment and tourism between Greece and China in Athens on October 2, 2010. Greece has told Cosco that strikes which frequently cripple business in the country will not affect a 35-year port concession vital to its debt-hit economy, Cosco said Friday. Last year, Greece granted Cosco a 35-year concession on the two main container terminals at Piraeus in a deal for a guaranteed premium of 3.4 billion euros (four billion dollars).

Floor Gold medallist Greece's Eleftherios Kosmidis (C), Silver medallist, Japan's Kohei Uchimura (L) and Bronze medallist Britain's Daniel Purvis celebrate on the podium at the end of the Men's Individual Aparatus Final at the 42nd Artistic Gymnnastics World Championships on October 23, 2010 in Rotterdam.

Floor Gold medallist Greece's Eleftherios Kosmidis (C), Silver medallist, Japan's Kohei Uchimura (L) and Bronze medallist Britain's Daniel Purvis celebrate on the podium at the end of the Men's Individual Aparatus Final at the 42nd Artistic Gymnnastics World Championships on October 23, 2010 in Rotterdam.

Korean War veterans from Greece take part in a parade to celebrate the recapture of its capital from North Korea in a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the 1950-53 Korean War at the Gyeongbok palace of the Joseon Dynasty in Seoul on September 28, 2010. South Korea marked a key moment in its civil war six decades ago, as North Korea made apparent preparations to hand power to the grandson of the man who started the conflict.

Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou (C) reacts as he arrives at Lisbon airport on November 19, 2010 for a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit of Heads of States and Government held on 19-20 November 2010 in Portugal's capital.

Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou (C) phones as he arrives to a Meeting on Afghanistan on November 20, 2010 in Lisbon, as part of a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit of Heads of States and Government held on 19-20 November 2010.

Exarch of Greece, Faithful of Eastern Rite (Byzantine), Bishop Dimitrios Salachas (R) chats with an unidentified representative during the opening of a synod on the Middle East on October 11, 2010 at The Vatican. A senior Iranian cleric and a Jewish rabbi are among some of the guests invited by Pope Benedict XVI to attend the synod running from October 10 to 24 to discuss the Middle East.

Exarch of Greece, Faithful of Eastern Rite (Byzantine), Bishop Dimitrios Salachas (R) chats with an unidentified bishop during the opening of a synod on the Middle East on October 11, 2010 at The Vatican. A senior Iranian cleric and a Jewish rabbi are among some of the guests invited by Pope Benedict XVI to attend the synod running from October 10 to 24 to discuss the Middle East.

Defence minister of Greece Thrassyvoulos-Terry Stamatopoulos (L) chats wit his Spainish counterpart Carme Chacon Piquerasa (R) during a family photo of the Informal Meetings of NATO Defence Ministers on February 5, 2010 in Istanbul. NATO defence ministers have agreed a package of measures to fill a gaping budget shortfall of hundreds of millions of euros, alliance Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced.

Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou steps out his plane as he arrives at Lisbon airport on November 19, 2010 for a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit of Heads of States and Government held on 19-20 November 2010 in Portugal's capital.

Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou (L) and Spain's President of the Government Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero chat as they arrive to a Meeting on Afghanistan on November 20, 2010 in Lisbon, as part of a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit of Heads of States and Government held on 19-20 November 2010.

The wall of a the Bank of Greece's headquarters is seen splattered with red painted during a demonstration in central Athens on December 6, 2010. Groups of hooded students hurled stones and blocks of wood at windows of banks and shops in the centre of the Greek capital as they marched towards the parliament building to mark the 2nd year anniversary of the death of teenager Alexis Grigoropoulos who was shot dead by police.

Former Prince Nicolas of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik leave in a horse drawn carriage after their wedding ceremony in Saint Nicolas orthodox church on the island of Spetses on August 25, 2010. Bluebloods from Denmark, Spain and Sweden attend the marriage ceremony of 40-year-old former Prince Nicholas to Tatiana Blatnik, a 29-year-old event planner for fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg.

Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou arrives prior to the NAC (North Atlantic Council) meeting on November 19, 2010 in Lisbon, as part of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit of Heads of States and Government held on 19-20 November 2010 in Portugal's capital.

Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou (L) gestures as he speaks with Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa prior to the NAC (North Atlantic Council) meeting, on November 19, 2010 in Lisbon, as part of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit of Heads of States and Government held on 19-20 November 2010 in Portugal's capital.

Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou (L) and Spain's President of the Government Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero arrive to a Meeting on Afghanistan on November 20, 2010 in Lisbon, as part of a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit of Heads of States and Government held on 19-20 November 2010.

Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou (L) and Spain's President of the Government Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero chat as they arrive to a Meeting on Afghanistan on November 20, 2010 in Lisbon, as part of a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit of Heads of States and Government held on 19-20 November 2010.

Nicolas, the second son of Greece's former king Constantine (R) and Tatiana Blatnik leave the Orthodox Church of Saint Nicolas after their wedding ceremony on the island of Spetses on August 25, 2010. Bluebloods from Denmark, Spain and Sweden will attend the marriage ceremony of 40-year-old former prince Nicholas to Tatiana Blatnik, a 29-year-old event planner for fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg.

Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou (C) crosses the finish line of the 10km race during the Athens Classic Marathon race on October 31, 2010. This year's Athens marathon is taking place on the 2,500th anniversary of the battle of Marathon in 490 BC and the legendary run by Pheidippides from the Marathon Battlefield to the city of Athens and attracted a record number of 12.500 runners.

Greece's players celebrate their 2-1 victory over Israel, while Israeli goalie Dudu Aouate (R) reacts, during their qualification football match for the UEFA Euro 2012 at the Karaiskaki stadium in Piraeues near Athens on October 12 , 2010.

Greece's players celebrate their 2-1 victory over Israel in front of dejected Israeli goalie Dudu Aouate (R) at the end of their Euro 2012 qualifying football match at Karaiskaki stadium in Piraeues near Athens on October 12, 2010.

Argentina's striker Martin Palermo (R) celebrates with Argentina's coach Diego Maradona after he scored during the Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match Greece vs Argentina on June 22, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. Argentina defeated Greece 2-0. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou (L) talks with the Chairman of the Bank of Greece George Provopoulos during their meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Athens on August 19, 2010. The European Commission recommended Thursday that debt-stricken Greece should get the second tranche of a rescue loan arranged in May after Athens met conditions set for the payment.

ATHENS ,GREECE, NOVEMBER 17: Riot police detain protesters during a demonstration to commemorate the 1973 student revolt, on November 17, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Youths hurled rocks and flares at police outside the U.S. Embassy during the mass rally to mark the anniversary of a 1973 anti-dictatorship uprising. Riot police used tear gas and stun grenades, during the confrontation.

ATHENS ,GREECE, NOVEMBER 17: Firemen put out a fire during a demonstration to commemorate the 1973 student revolt, on November 17, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Youths hurled rocks and flares at police outside the U.S. Embassy during the mass rally to mark the anniversary of a 1973 anti-dictatorship uprising. Riot police used tear gas and stun grenades, during the confrontation.

ATHENS, GREECE - NOVEMBER 24: Pedro Rodriguez of Barcelona celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Panathinaikos FC and FC Barcelona at OAKA Spiros Louis Stadium on November 24, 2010 in Athens, Greece.

ATHENS, GREECE - NOVEMBER 24: Daniel Alves of Barcelona passes over Nikos Spyropoulos of Panathinaikos during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Panathinaikos FC and FC Barcelona at OAKA Spiros Louis Stadium on November 24, 2010 in Athens, Greece.

ATHENS, GREECE - NOVEMBER 24: Djibril Cisse of Panathinaikos acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Panathinaikos FC and FC Barcelona at OAKA Spiros Louis Stadium on November 24, 2010 in Athens, Greece.

Economics Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn arrives for a news conference in Athens on December 9, 2010. EU finance ministers are ready to look favourably on extending the repayment period for Greece's 110-billion-euro bailout, Rehn said today. he possibility of the extension of the repayment of Greece's three-year loan, which had been scheduled to be repaid by 2015, was first mooted when the EU-IMF agreed last month an 85-billion-euro (113-billion-dollar) bailout for Ireland with a considerably longer repayment period.

Economics Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn speaks during a press conference in Athens on December 9, 2010. EU finance ministers are ready to look favourably on extending the repayment period for Greece's 110-billion-euro bailout, Rehn said today. The possibility of the extension of the repayment of Greece's three-year loan, which had been scheduled to be repaid by 2015, was first mooted when the EU-IMF agreed last month an 85-billion-euro (113-billion-dollar) bailout for Ireland with a considerably longer repayment period.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou (R) welcomes the Economics Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn before their meeting in Athens on December 9, 2010. EU finance ministers are ready to look favourably on extending the repayment period for Greece's 110-billion-euro bailout, Rehn said today. The possibility of the extension of the repayment of Greece's three-year loan, which had been scheduled to be repaid by 2015, was first mooted when the EU-IMF agreed last month an 85-billion-euro (113-billion-dollar) bailout for Ireland with a considerably longer repayment period.

Economics Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn (L) listens to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou as he delivers a speech during a press conference after their meeting in Athens on December 9, 2010. EU finance ministers are ready to look favourably on extending the repayment period for Greece's 110-billion-euro bailout, Rehn said. The possibility of the extension of the repayment of Greece's three-year loan, which had been scheduled to be repaid by 2015, was first mooted when the EU-IMF agreed last month an 85-billion-euro (113-billion-dollar) bailout for Ireland with a considerably longer repayment period.