Panel Discussion on regional impacts of the Ukraine War

The event was divided into two panels, each of which was organised around a thematic leitmotif. The first panel focused on political issues. Hubert Knirsch, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia, Viktor Richter, German Ambassador to Armenia, and Ulrich Kinne, Chargé d’Affairs at the German Embassy in Moldova, shared their views with the audience. Geopolitical crises always have economic effects as well, so the speakers addressed economic policy developments in addition to security, development and migration policy issues.

This perspective was taken up in the subsequent macroeconomic and economic policy panel. Dr Ricardo Giucci, Head of the German Economic Team and Managing Director of Berlin Economics, gave the input presentation on the overall macroeconomic situation in Moldova, Armenia and Georgia. It became clear that the countries are each affected differently, although all countries will feel the effects, most strongly in Moldova and Armenia. Moldova is also suffering from very high inflation.

Nevertheless, the crises and the associated realignment of trade routes and value chains also create opportunities for the countries. This was also pointed out by the participating representatives of business associations.

The audience had the opportunity to ask questions at the end of each panel.

The German Economic Team would like to thank the German Eastern Business Association for organising the event.