Christos Papoutsis

Christos Papoutsis studied economics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and was elected to the European Parliament for PASOK in 1984, 1989 and 1994, serving as Vice-President of the Socialist Group from 1987 to 1994. He was European Commissioner for Energy under Jacques Santer from 1995 to 1999, with responsibility also for the EURATOM Supply Agency, SMEs and Tourism.

He was elected to the Hellenic Parliament for Athens in 2000 and served as Minister of Mercantile Marine from April 2000 to October 2001, later serving as Minister for Citizen Protection from 2010 to 2012. He has published three books on European policy.

He gave the keynote address at Mare Forum 2000, Mare Forum 2001 and the 1st Global Shipbrokers' Forum.