For two days, Saarland was the meeting place for German financial policy: At the Victor's Residenz-Hotel Schloss Berg in Perl, the finance ministers of the federal states gathered for the annual conference of the Finance Ministers' Conference (FMK). The focus was on the current financial situation of the federal government, states, and municipalities, as well as the future financing of important investments in the future.
Under the chairmanship of Bremen’s Finance Senator Björn Fecker, the states discussed, among other things, the challenges of a persistently weak economic development, the financing of public infrastructure, the relief of municipalities, as well as the future design of European funding policy. Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Finance, Michael Schrodi, also participated in the consultations.
As the host, Finance Minister Jakob von Weizsäcker welcomed numerous high-ranking guests to Saarland, including Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel, the Governor of the Banque de France, François Villeroy de Galhau, as well as the President of the European Investment Bank, Pierre Gramegna. Especially in the tri-border region with France and Luxembourg, it became clear how closely financial policy issues are linked to European cooperation today.
In addition to the technical consultations, the conference also provided space for personal exchange. During the joint evening at the historic Villa Borg, the guests were able to experience the cultural diversity and hospitality of the Saarland. The inclusive band "Zweite Chance Saarland" provided the musical backdrop, creating a special atmosphere with their performance.
An emotional moment was also the farewell of the former Saarland Minister of Finance, Peter Strobel. The finance ministers praised his many years of dedication to Saarland's financial policy and his contributions within the Conference of Finance Ministers.
That the conference ran smoothly despite the midsummer temperatures well above 35 degrees was primarily thanks to the great dedication of the numerous employees who had prepared and accompanied the event over many months. From organization to security to the care of the delegations, numerous teams worked hand in hand to ensure that the guests felt very well taken care of in the Saarland.
Even beyond the official agenda, the special atmosphere of the conference became apparent: While watching the Germany match together on Thursday evening, for a moment it was not financial policy but football that took center stage. A victory for the German team would have made the evening perfect, but it did not detract from the good mood.
With the successful hosting of the annual conference, Saarland has once again demonstrated that it can organize major political events at the highest level while also being a warm and welcoming host: professionally sound, shaped by European values, and with the hospitality for which Saarland is known far beyond its borders.
