EVENT

The Eurozone: Problems and Solutions

Leszek Balcerowicz, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Poland
Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, Peterson Institute
Angel Ubide, Peterson Institute

Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, DC

December 6, 2010

Summary

Leszek Balcerowicz, the former Minister of Finance and Central Bank Governor of Poland, discussed the European Union's efforts to resolve Europe's debt problems at an event cosponsored by the Peterson Institute and the Embassy of Poland on December 6, 2010. He also commented on the permanent crisis resolution mechanism scheduled for discussion at the next EU Council meeting on December 16–17. Jacob Funk Kirkegaard and Angel Ubide led the discussion following Balcerowicz's speech.

Professor Balcerowicz led the Polish economic reforms after the fall of communism and is widely viewed as one of the most successful reformers in the transition economies and indeed throughout the world. He served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the initial Solidarity government and again during 1997–2000, and returned to public service as President of the National Bank of Poland in 2001–07. He is now Professor of Economics at the Warsaw School of Economics. Professor Balcerowicz is a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute.