Dear Citizens,

Policies affecting our state are not decided in Erfurt alone: Thuringia’s interests on a Europe-wide scale demand that we be represented in Brussels, too. The Representation of the Free State of Thuringia to the European Union therefore serves as an interface between Erfurt and Brussels, between the Thuringian State Government and the European institutions and committees. The office acts as both an information exchange and an early warning system, while also serving as a central contact point and a showcase for our state on the Brussels scene. Ever since 1991, our representation office in Brussels has been serving the Thuringian State Government and me as Minister for Federal and European Affairs and Head of the State Chancellery in promoting Thuringian interests at the European level.

As representatives of our state and advocates for its interests, the staff of the Representation of the Free State of Thuringia to the European Union maintain close contacts with the institutions of the European Union. Our representation office monitors and analyses what is happening on the political scene. It informs our state government of developments early on so that we can react quickly and contribute our own part to the formation of European opinion and to the decision-making process.

European politics is after all not only a matter for the Federal Government. We German states as well are guaranteed by Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany an active role in European politics via the Bundesrat. We want to do our best to make sure that European law is efficient, well-grounded, fair and comprehensible for you as citizens.

Marion Walsmann
Minister for Federal and European Affairs and Head of the State Chancellery

Thuringia in Europe

Thuringia is Germanys strong centre. The Free State that is located between Nordhausen and Sonnenberg, Eisenach and Altenburg, has always been an open-minded region, with an impressive cultural history and people, who have consciousness of tradition and a sense of innovation.

After the reunification, the Free State of Thuringia was confronted with the huge task of overcoming the decades of isolation it had experienced as a border territory between East and West-Germany. The successful presentation of Weimar as European City of Culture 1999 was an important and positive step in this direction. The German unification signified for Thuringia also the joining of the European Union.

The Free State takes full advantage of its location between eastern and western countries in Europe and works together with its partner regions Essex (England), Picardie (France) and Malopolska (Poland). Besides these, Thuringia has strong partnerships with other central and eastern European states, in particular with the Republic of Hungary.