Jean-Claude Trichet: The essence of economic and monetary union Speech by Mr Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, as the Guest of Honour at the Schaffermahlzeit, Bremen, 11 February 2011. *  *  *  Gentlemen, I have given speeches in many different places over the years, but today’s setting here in Bremen is a very special one.
But it is even more important that we take decisive steps to avoid a Member State needing a programme in the first place.