Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to this year's Conference on European Economic Integration.
Before we get started, I would like to invite you to join me in a moment of silence to remember the victims of this week's horrific terrorist attack in Vienna. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims and express our solidarity with everyone shaken by Monday's events.
(Silence)
As we face yet another challenge, I have to say that I am proud that – all of us together – have already successfully managed the challenge of making this event happen – despite dire circumstances. So, please allow me to once again welcome you to this year's Conference on European Economic Integration, the first fully virtual conference in the longstanding tradition of this OeNB conference series.
Let me particularly welcome
· Professor Marcel Fratzscher, President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and Professor Adam Tooze from Columbia University;