Greece raised $6.74 billion yesterday with a seven-year bond issue, in a crucial first borrowing test after the eurozone unveiled a rescue last week to help Athens cope with its acute debt crisis.

But the government’s borrowing costs remain higher than it wants.

The bonds were sold at a coupon yield of 5.9 percent, according to a statement from the government’s Public Debt Management Agency. State-run media said around $9.4 billion in offers were received.

The high yield comes before April and May deadlines to refinance with total borrowing needs at $72 billion this year.

Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said he was satisfied with the sale.

“When you go to the market and draw the amount of money you want at a rate that is reasonable, given the current levels — then, under those circumstances, I’m happy,” Papaconstantinou told state-run NET television.