Ms.
Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) issued the following statement today after the news of the death
of Helmut Schmidt:
“I am
deeply saddened by the passing of former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, a
true European, visionary economist, and global statesman. With a
disciplined mind and sheer determination, he navigated Germany through
challenging times and helped make Germany what it is today: a modern
country with a strong economy, firmly rooted in the European community.
“His
friendship with former French president Giscard D’Estaing, which
dominated the political landscape of Europe when I was a young lawyer,
will always remind me of what political figures can accomplish when they
work in unison, for the benefit of their countrymen. We owe them
jointly the tradition of global economic summits, which proved so
critical in fostering cooperation between key economic actors and
maintaining a dialogue during times of crises.
“Helmut Schmidt was a wise man and a truly effective and respected leader. He will be missed.”
