Werner Hoyer (born 17 November 1951) is a German economist and politician of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) who served as President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) between 2012 and 2023.See
Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, 1994–98
From 1994 to 1998, Hoyer was Minister of State at the Foreign Office in the Fifth Kohl Cabinet under Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel. In this capacity, he was the German representative in a high-level working group chaired by Spanish foreign minister Carlos Westendorp and set up to prepare the negotiations on treaty change which led to the Treaties of Amsterdam and subsequently, Nice.Tom Buerkle (September 6, 1995) Britain and Germany Balk at EU Proposal: Cool Reception for Jobless Plan International Herald Tribune. In 1996, he was the German negotiator during an intergovernmental conference in Turin that was aimed at improvements in the European Union's decision-making processes, including the establishment of a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.Tom Buerkle (March 29, 1996) EU Talks Opening With Ministers Dubious About Reforms International Herald Tribune. He also repeatedly reiterated German determination to enter a single currency – the Euro – by 1999.Tom Buerkle (December 15, 1995) Talk of Currency Delay Grows Louder International Herald Tribune.
Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, 2009–12
From October 28, 2009 Hoyer was Minister of State at the Foreign Office in the Second Cabinet Merkel under Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. During that time, he was Germany’s official in charge of German-French relations.Katrin Bennholdt (November 3, 2009) France to Mark Fall of Berlin Wall With Musical Tribute New York Times. He resigned in 2012.
In August 2011, Hoyer issued a tough statement criticizing plans by Denmark to build new control posts between the two countries, insisting that this unilateral decision to increase customs procedures on the border violated European law.Stephen Castle and Judy Dempsey (August 11, 2011), Spain Gets Approval to Keep Romanians Out International Herald Tribune.
In 2012, Hoyer called for a new Marshall Plan – a reference to the US-financed programme that revived European economies after World War II – to be launched to reanimate the Greek economy, involving both private and public investment. He said the EIB had the resources to invest in Greek infrastructure and support Greek banks to revive lending to businesses.Quentin Peel (November 30, 2011), Germans revive Greek Marshall Plan idea Financial Times.
Following his party’s strong performance in the 2017 German elections, Hoyer was cited as a possible candidate to succeed Wolfgang Schäuble and take over as Federal Minister of Finance.George Georgiopoulos and Karolina Tagaris (September 29, 2017), Hoyer, asked on German finmin post, says 'extremely happy' at EIB Reuters.
During his last annual results press conference in 2023, Mr. Hoyer unveiled the new EIB logo.
On June 24, 2024, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement that it had obtained the lifting of immunity for two former EIB employees. Various media outlets reported that Werner Hoyer was under investigation for corruption, abuse of influence, and the misappropriation of EU funds. Hoyer has described the allegations as absurd and unfounded.
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