Pfaffenbach stressed the significance of the G8 summit, calling it an event of key importance. He said Heiligendamm was consciously chosen as the venue. Chancellor Angela Merkel had wanted the summit to take place in her home region.
Advertising for the region
Meyer underscored the fact that the G8 summit will give the state and the overall region an opportunity to become better known in the world and enhance its image.
He pointed to the positive effects related construction projects are having for the state, adding that improved infrastructures will be of long-term benefit to the regional economy.
Summit topics
Pfaffenbach laid out the agenda established under the German presidency. There is to be a strong focus on the global economy. The G8 leaders are scheduled to discuss freedom of investment and global imbalances under the heading "Growth and Responsibility”.
Pfaffenbach said the Chancellor attaches major importance to the subject of aid for Africa and announced that there will be a meeting with representatives of African countries in the run-up to the G8, occasioned by the World Bank Conference in Berlin.
This is to be followed by a G8 Africa Partnership Forum, held together with African countries under the aegis of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation.
A carefully selected group of African heads of state and government will be invited to take part in the actual summit with a view to holding meaningful discussions.
>> German presidency focuses
Dialogue with civil society
Pfaffenbach indicated that a conference with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be held in advance of the summit and that talks are currently ongoing with representatives of civil society in preparation for the conference. He said the federal government is making an effort to engage the NGOs and in this connection has been in contact with people like Bono and Bob Geldof.
Meyer and Pfaffenbach both expressed their hope that protests against the G8 summit will be peaceful. Pfaffenbach noted that he didn’t think the G8 agenda would be likely to evoke strong protest. Meyer added that peaceful demonstrations are welcome in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
A junior summit will be held again this year during the G8. Selected young people from G8 countries will have an opportunity to discuss relevant issues with the heads of state and government. Pfaffenbach recommended that schools in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania become actively involved in the competition.
>> J8 meets G8
Costs
Pfaffenbach noted that negotiations with the state government on assuming costs for necessary security measures were conducted fairly and constructively, adding that they had gone to the limit of what is permitted under the constitution for financial matters of this kind.
In an administrative agreement between the federal and state government authorities involved in organizing the summit the federal government agreed to waive reimbursement of costs for the use of security equipment and personnel, effectively saving the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania a bill of around 23 million euros.