Minister Donohoe visits Berlin and Frankfurt to meet with German Finance Minister and President of ECB

25th November, 2019

Meetings in Berlin and Frankfurt present valuable opportunity to strengthen Irish-German relations and discuss the future direction of the European Union 

The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, will travel today (Monday) to Berlin and Frankfurt for meetings with German Finance Minister, Olaf Scholz, and recently-appointed President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde.

In Berlin, the Minister will also meet Minister for Economic Affairs, Peter Altmaier, and Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, President of the Bundestag. These discussions will focus on Irish-German relations, the EU agenda and Brexit. The Minister will also speak at the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum “From Ambition to Action: Making Multilateralism Work,” alongside Minister Scholz, Spanish Minister of Economy and Business, Nadia Calviño, and Director General of DG Trade from the European Commission, Sabine Weyand.

While in Frankfurt, Minister Donohoe will meet President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, and attend an NTMA investor event and visit the newly-opened Consulate General of Ireland in this important commercial and banking hub.


Speaking in advance of his visit, the Minister said:

‘Germany is an important partner for Ireland. In Berlin, I’m looking forward to engaging with my German colleague, Olaf Scholz, and other members of the German government to discuss how to further strengthen the already close political and economic ties, and our shared work on the EU agenda.’

‘During my visit I will also meet with the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde, to discuss the Euro Area economy, and attend an investor event to support the work of the NTMA. I will also visit our new Consulate General in Frankfurt, which has opened as part of the Government’s Global Ireland strategy. Germany is our second largest source of inward investment, third largest source of tourism, and fourth largest overall trading partner and the Government is committed to further deepening ties with this important partner.’

ENDS