The meeting between finance ministers of the German-speaking countries took place in Liechtenstein for the third time in 2021. The consequences of the pandemic were the main focus of the session between the finance ministers of Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

This year’s meeting of German-speaking finance ministers took place in Liechtenstein on 23 and 24 August, as the Principality of Liechtenstein Government reported in a press release. Now “a tradition”, the meeting this year included Swiss Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer, Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna, Austria’s Federal Minister of Finance Gernot Blümel and State Secretary Rolf Bösinger standing in for the German Federal Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz. They were welcomed by the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Daniel Risch, who is also the Finance Minister.

The core focus of the discussion in Malbun on Tuesday was reportedly the effect of the pandemic “on sovereign debt and the current economic and labor market situation in the individual countries”. “This exchange between ministers is extremely valuable,” Prime Minister Risch said in the press release. “In times like these, governments in all countries are required to make difficult decisions.”

State Secretary Bösinger highlighted the close relationships between the countries. This was also evident in the pandemic, as the German guest said. “We are all pulling together in this respect so we can overcome the current challenges.”

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