Greece is at the centre of a major financial crisis. The European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have pledged more than 100 billion euro in support.

In return, George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, says he will implement a programme of severity measures, including big cuts in public spending.

There is no alternative, he says, insisting that without such measures Greece faces a catastrophe.

The Greek prime minister talks to Al Jazeera's Barnaby Phillips about the future of his country and the euro zone.

Talk to Jazeera: George Papandreou can be seen from Monday, May 24, at the following times GMT: Monday: 2330; Tuesday: 0630, 1230, 1900; Wednesday: 0530.