Rising to the Challenge of Change: An Address by Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou

On March 8, the Center on the U.S. and Europe at Brookings welcomed Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou for an address on how Greece, the United States and Europe can reinvigorate their cooperation to confront common challenges. In his remarks, Mr. Papandreou addressed Greece’s current economic situation and the opportunity it presents for Greece to modernize and revitalize its governance and for Europe to become more fully integrated.

George Papandreou became Prime Minister of Greece in October 2009, following the electoral success of his Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) party. Born and educated in the United States, Mr. Papandreou is the son and grandson of two former prime ministers and returned to Greece after the restoration of Greek democracy in 1974. Mr. Papandreou was first elected to parliament in 1981and has held a number of ministerial posts.

Brookings President Strobe Talbott introduced Mr. Papandreou, and at the conclusion of the Prime Minister’s remarks, Kemal Derviş, vice president and director of the Global Economy and Development program at Brookings, moderated a question and answer session.