I must confess that apart from feeling highly honoured at having such a prize bestowed on me, I feel slightly surprised as well. It is not until 1st July of this year that I will be taking over the leadership of the EMI to become a veritable European Banker.
There is something symbolic about this prize being presented in Frankfurt, which is not just the vibrant financial heart of Germany, but also the city where the monetary policy of the Economic and Monetary Union will be made. And it is about EMU that I wish to speak today.