Representation of the European Commission in Germany

The representation of the European Commission started as a press liaison office of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 in Bonn. It was the first press liaison office followed by offices in Rome and Paris. The main task of the press liaison office was to maintain and strengthen contact to the press and other national sources of information.^[1] After the establishment of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community in 1957, the office became responsible for representing their interests as well. In 1989 the range of tasks was further extended and was renamed into Representation of the European Commission. Due to the Decision on the Capital of Germany the head office of the representation was moved from Bonn to Berlin.^[2]

The representation serves as a link between the national government, the public and the European Commission in Brussels. It informs the public and the media about the policies of the Commission and maintains contact to the federal and national parliaments. At the same time, it informs the office in Brussels about the political situation in Germany and informs about the demands from Germany.

The head office of the representation is located in Haus der Europäischen Union in Berlin, where the information office of the European Parliament and Erlebnis Europa are located. The representation office in Berlin maintains contact to the German Bundestag, Bundesrat of Germany and Cabinet of Germany, operating actively in press work and communicates with the public. It is regionally responsible for ten federal states: Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia.

The Head of the Representation in Germany is Barbara Gessler.

Predecessors were:

• Patrick Lobis (acting Head of Representation September 2023 - March 2024)
• Jörg Wojahn (September 2019 - August 2023)
• Richard Kühnel (June 2014 - August 2019)
• Marie-Thérèse Duffy-Häusler (Oktober 2013 – June 2014)^[3]
• Matthias Petschke (2009–2013), today director for european satellite navigation programme in the General-Directorate of the European Commission for Industry and Entrepreneurship^[4]
• Gerhard Sabathil (2004–2008), today director of European External Action Service
• Axel R. Bunz (1993–2003)
• Gerd Langguth (1988–1993)

The political department is responsible for the communication between the Commission and the political decision-makers in Germany. In addition, it compiles reports and analysis about the political, economical and social trends, as well as, special events in Germany. Vice versa, it disseminates the European policy by presentations and events for the public and experts. Head of the department is Manica Hauptmann.

The department for communication informs the citizens about what is happening and why on the European level. For that it cooperates closely with partners from the civil society, federal and regional government. Head of the department is Dina Behnke.

The press department informs journalists in Germany about the policies of the Commission, answers questions and issues statements. Tools are a daily Email newsletter with important messages for Germany from the Commission, a weekly schedule preview and a two-weekly brochure.^[5]

Head of the department is Birgit Schmeitzner.

The regional representation of the European Commission in Bonn is located in the former headquarter of the representation of the Commission, which moved to Berlin in 1999. It serves as a link between the Commission in Brussel and the four federal states North Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, Rhineland Palatinate and Saarland. Stefan Lock is in charge of the office.^[6]

The information service answers questions about all Europe related topics and supplies information material. In addition, it has a lot of information about the Regional policy of the European Union.^[7]

The regional representation organises many events on its own or with co-operation partners in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, Rhineland Palatinate and Saarland.^[8]