The Greek government will be taking over the EU presidency on 1 January 2013 with a host of very dangerous problems dogging its heels.

While Europe is trying to fathom the changes that a third term for Ms Merkel will bring and how it will affect the future of the block, Greece is mired in its own political problems and the gazes of its political personnel are fixed on its proverbial navel, while political legitimacy is in tatters.

Undertaking of "joint action with Italy" is particularly important was the message sent by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Monday, from Italy, the in view of the two countries' successive EU presidencies in 2014, so that "Europe changes" course.