While New Democracy's Antonis Samaras has sworn in as Greece's new prime minister just last Wednesday, he will miss this week's EU summit as he recovers from eye surgery, according to a government spokesman statement released on Sunday, June 24th.

He underwent routine surgery on Saturday for a damaged retina, with the operation said to have been a success. As the head a three-party pro-austerity coalition, Samaras is seeking to water down the requirments imposed on by other EU contries. Greece is now under huge international pressure to fulfill its baillout terms.

At the same time, the "troika" of rescue lenders have also postponed a planned visit to Athens due to Mr Samaras' poor health. Inspectors from the EU, European Central Bank and IMF had been due to review Greece's progress in meeting bailout conditions on Monday.

The new date for the trip will be determined later in the week.