Eurozone Crisis Top Pictures

While the sovereign debt increases have been most pronounced in only a few eurozone countries mostly centered on events in Greece,they have become a perceived problem for the area as a whole.

In May 2011, the crisis resurfaced with the refinancing of Greek public debts.

The general public rejected the austerity measures and have expressed their dissatisfaction through angry street protests.

In late June 2011, the crisis situation was again brought under control with EU leaders pledging funds to support the country.

The Greek bail-out was followed by a €85 billion rescue package for Ireland in November, a €78 billion bail-out for Portugal in May 2011, then continuing efforts to meet the continuing crisis in Greece and other countries.

demonstration rallied against politicians, banks, the economic crisis and government austerity measures spread across European cities.

A man sets himself on fire outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki in northern Greece September 16, 2011. The 55-year old man had entered the bank and asked for a renegotiation of his overdue loan payments on his home and business, according to police, which he could not pay, but was refused by the bank.

A man pours a flammable liquid on his body to set himself on fire outside a Piraeus bank branch in Thessaloniki in northern Greece September 16, 2011. The 55-year old man had entered the bank and asked for a renegotiation of his overdue loan payments on his home and business, according to police, which he could not pay, but was refused by the bank.

A combination photograph shows a man setting himself on fire outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki in northern Greece September 16, 2011. The 55-year old man had entered the bank and asked for a renegotiation of his overdue loan payments on his home and business, according to police, which he could not pay, but was refused by the bank.

A man sets himself on fire outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki in northern Greece September 16, 2011. The 55-year old man had entered the bank and asked for a renegotiation of his overdue loan payments on his home and business, according to police, which he could not pay, but was refused by the bank.

A policeman tries to extinguish a fire on a man after set himself ablaze outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki in northern Greece September 16, 2011. The 55-year old man had entered the bank and asked for a renegotiation of his overdue loan payments on his home and business, according to police, which he could not pay, but was refused by the bank.

A policeman tries to extinguish a fire on a man after he set himself ablaze outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki in northern Greece September 16, 2011. The 55-year old man had entered the bank and asked for a renegotiation of his overdue loan payments on his home and business, according to police, which he could not pay, but was refused by the bank.

A protester confronts riot police guarding the entrance to Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair during a protest against austerity September 10, 2011. Police fired dozens of tear-gas during violent clashes in Greece's second largest city. The debt-laden Greek government vowed on Saturday to stay the course of austerity, sending a message to its increasingly frustrated lenders it will do everything it takes to avoid a bankruptcy that would rock the euro.

Former conservative minister Kostis Hatzidakis is covered with blood after about 200 leftists attacked him with stones and sticks, shouting: "Thieves! Shame on you!" in central Athens December 15, 2010. Athens police fired teargas at protesters who threw petrol bombs at two luxury hotels in the central Syntagma square outside parliament on Wednesday as Greek protests against government austerity measures escalated.

Protesters from the Greek Communist-affiliated trade union PAME burn bills for a new one-off income tax during a rally against government's new austerity measures in Athens, September 28, 2011. EU and IMF inspectors will return to Greece on Thursday to decide whether Athens has done enough to secure a new batch of aid vital to avoid bankruptcy, while Germany suggested a new bailout may have to be renegotiated.

A photographer is seen in flames as he tries to escape after he caught fire from a petrol bomb during riots in front of the parliament in Athens February 23, 2011. Greek police clashed with protesters on Wednesday as thousands of workers marched to parliament to protest against austerity policies aimed at helping the country cope with a huge debt crisis. The photographer did not suffer from any injuries.

High-school students clash with riot police during a protest march against economic austerity and planned education reforms in Athens October 3, 2011. Clashes broke out when police attempted to free traffic after the students blocked traffic flow along a main Athens avenue in front of the parliament.

High-school students clash with riot police during a protest march against economic austerity and planned education reforms in Athens October 3, 2011. Clashes broke out when police attempted to free traffic after the students blocked traffic flow along a main Athens avenue in front of the parliament.

A protester, with a crying girl in his arms, shouts at riot police after clashes during a rally against the government's new austerity measures in Athens September 25, 2011. Greek riot police fired teargas at anti-austerity protesters pelting them with bottles outside parliament on Sunday in the first such unrest after a summer lull.

Homeless people sit inside the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Klimaka's homeless shelter in Athens August 17, 2011. Officials say the number of homeless in Greece has increased about 20-25 percent in two years, a staggering rise in a country where adult children often live with their parents and pensions traditionally go to supporting young families. Picture taken August 17, 2011.

A homeless person sleeps outside a bookstore in central Athens August 20, 2011. Officials say the number of homeless in Greece has increased about 20-25 percent in two years, a staggering rise in a country where adult children often live with their parents and pensions traditionally go to supporting young families. Picture taken August 20, 2011.

An employee stands behind a smashed shop window following two days of violent demonstrations around Syntagma square in Athens June 30, 2011. The streets of the Greek capital were calm on Thursday ahead of a vote expected to approve a final austerity bill that is needed to avert default.

A man speaks on the phone next to smashed shop windows following two days of violent demonstrations around Syntagma square in Athens June 30, 2011. The streets of the Greek capital were calm on Thursday ahead of a vote expected to approve a final austerity bill that is needed to avert default.

A protester throws a rock at policemen during violent protests against austerity measures in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square June 28, 2011. With Greece teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, parliament is due to vote this week on a package of spending cuts, tax increases and privatisations agreed as part of a massive bailout aimed at averting the euro zone's first default.

The kiosk of Dimitris Ptohos burns during riots in Athens in this June 29, 2011 file photo. The Athens vendor, who watched his drinks kiosk and all its contents burn to the ground during running battles between riot police and anti-austerity protesters, has reopened, now deeply in debt, three months later. Dimitris Ptohos, whose name means "poor Dimitri" in Greek, was heartbroken when a mobile telecoms transmitter set alight by rampaging youths rolled down the central Syntagma Square into his kiosk at the height of the mayhem, setting it ablaze in front of him. Picture taken June 29, 2011.

Th kiosk of Dimitris Ptohos (L, next to the blue umbrella) stands a few days before it was destroyed during riots in Athens in this June 7, 2011 file photo. The Athens vendor, who watched his drinks kiosk and all its contents burn to the ground during running battles between riot police and anti-austerity protesters, has reopened, now deeply in debt, three months later. Dimitris Ptohos, whose name means "poor Dimitri" in Greek, was heartbroken when a mobile telecoms transmitter set alight by rampaging youths rolled down the central Syntagma Square into his kiosk at the height of the mayhem, setting it ablaze in front of him. Picture taken June 7, 2011.

An employee of the Finance Ministry kicks a riot policeman during a protest against the government's austerity measures at the entrance of the ministry in Athens, September 27, 2011. Greek lawmakers are expected to approve a deeply unpopular property tax on Tuesday to open the way for the return of international lending inspectors and the release of vital aid despite growing anger sweeping the austerity-hit nation. Bus drivers and metro workers launched a strike against the austerity moves and tax collectors began a 48-hour stoppage. Activists vowed to step up demonstrations in the ancient capital, where protesters clashed with riot police in June.

Protesters argue with riot police during a rally against the government's new austerity measures in Athens 25, 2011. Greek riot police fired teargas at anti-austerity protesters pelting them with bottles outside parliament on Sunday in the first such unrest after a summer lull.

Policemen try to escape a fire from a petrol bomb during riots at a May Day rally in Athens May 1, 2010. Angry protesters set fire to garbage cans and two TV outside broadcast vans in Athens as thousands of Greeks marched through the capital on May Day to protest against austerity measures they say only hurt the poor.

Tax office employees use whistles as they protest outside the Finance Ministry during a rally against the government's austerity measures in Athens, September 27, 2011. Greek lawmakers will pass the government's new austerity programme by the end of October, and signs about bondholders' participation in a Greek debt swap plan are encouraging, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Tuesday.