EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Markets and Companies

The 52-year-old Schöllkopf is member of the Board of Management of ERGO International AG, responsible for its activities in Central Eastern Europe. Prior to this engagement in the executive board of the German insurance group, he was Managing Director and Regional Manager of ERGO Versicherungsgruppe AG and coordinated the activities of its subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe. Before joining ERGO, Schöllkopf was working in several management positions for AMB Generali Holding AG.

Further intensification of the German-Baltic economic relations main priority of the new president

Thomas Schöllkopf.

“Economic relations between Germany and the Baltic States have been existing for many centuries and have traditionally been excellent. It is an honour for me to serve as President of the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce and to continue strengthening and fostering these relations”, Thomas Schöllkopf stated on the occasion of his election by the general assembly in Tallinn. ”We will strive to further intensify the close economic relationship between the Baltic States and Germany and to facilitate and support bilateral cooperation between companies via the projects and activities of the Chamber.” 

The new President stressed that he would continue the successful work of his predecessor whom he praised for his dedication during the establishment and in the first years of the Chamber. ”We are deeply grateful to Dr. Dunkel. Without his strong personal commitment the positive development and success of the German-Baltic Chamber would not have been possible.”

Given current insecure and difficult times in the economy, the main focus of the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce will be on further extending its commercial services and offer information and advice for members and other companies, Schöllkopf stated. Representing the interests of its almost 360 members through continuous dialogue with politics and relevant institutions, the Chamber will stay actively engaged in improving the economic and political conditions for doing business in the Baltic States and creating a solid framework for sustainable growth and wealth in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. By offering German companies professional support for successful bilateral business relations and assisting Baltic companies in launching their business and investment activities in Germany, the Chamber will also contribute to economic growth in Germany.

New board members appointed

Besides Dr. Gunter Dunkel, Vice President Bertolt Flick (airBaltic Corporation AS), Treasurer Michael Schminke (Baltik vairas UAB), Niels Lund Chrestensen (N.L. Chrestensen Erfurter Samen- und Pflanzenzucht GmbH), Jānis Kraulis (Knauf SIA) and Dr. Achim Saul (E.ON Ruhrgas International) have finished their mandates in the board.

Newly elected members of the board are Dr. Dietmar Luz (KTG Agrar AG) and Dr. Peter Frankenberg (E.ON Ruhrgas International). In addition, the President of the German-Baltic Chamber in Latvia, Jörg Tumat (Latvijas Gāze AS), Jens-Christian Pastille (Rödl & Partner SIA) and Dirk Zwick (Baltik vairas UAB) will serve as new board members for their first three year term.

Eva Dude (IHK Offenbach am Main) has been re-elected for a second term and rounds up the present board, jointly with Jan Vogel (Oiltanking Tallinn AS) and the Presidents of the German-Baltic Chamber in Estonia and Lithuania, Michael Stenner (Hotel Telegraaf) and Werner Schilli (DnB NORD bankas AB).

The new Board of Directors of the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (AHK) at a glance:

• Thomas Schöllkopf (ERGO International AG) – President
• Michael Stenner (Hotel Telegraaf) – Vice President
• Jörg Tumat (Latvijas Gāze AS) – Vice President
• Werner Schilli (DnB NORD bankas AB) – Vice President
• Dirk Zwick (Baltik vairas UAB) – Treasurer
• Eva Dude (IHK Offenbach am Main)
• Dr. Peter Frankenberg (E.ON Ruhrgas International AG)
• Dr. Dietmar Luz (KTG Agrar AG)
• Jens-Christian Pastille (Rödl & Partner SIA)
• Jan Vogel (Oiltanking Tallinn AS)
• Maren Diale-Schellschmidt (AHK) – Executive Director