Greece begins its fifth EU presidency Wednesday withan agenda seeking progress on everything from economic growth to immigration and maritime policy, dpa reported. Athens has pledged to carry out the task on a shoe-string budget, amid widespread speculation that it may need a third international bailout package. Greece, worst affected by the eurozone debt crisis, is struggling to emerge from six years of recession despite bailouts totalling 240 billion euros (330 billion dollars). Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said Athens would ensure a presidency of "opportunities," not crisis, when it takes over from Lithuania. He said dealing with soaring youth unemployment in the bloc would be a priority. Greece is hard hit in this regard, with an overall unemployment rate of around 27 per cent. Athens also plans to forge ahead with plans for a much-touted banking union for the 17-member eurozone, which is meant to restore trust in the currency bloc and help shied it from crises.
