The work of the nomination committee is progressing in a constructive and successful manner. In a couple of weeks the committee will present the proposals for the annual general meeting of Deutsche Boerse AG in May 2009.
Thus, the basic course will be set for a good and stable future of Deutsche Boerse AG. This allows for me stepping back from being Chairman of Supervisory Board of Deutsche Boerse AG by the end of 2008 paving also the way at the right moment for a new generation needed for the continuity of the company. The company is in excellent shape and has a remarkable set-up for global competition. The management lead by Reto Francioni is impressing. Deutsche Boerse has very well done not only in the financial center Frankfurt but increasingly in Europe in theses times of a tsunami-like global financial crisis.
I am looking back with delight upon successfully working together with my colleagues in the supervisory board as well as with the management of Deutsche Boerse AG. As a matter of course I will unvaried dedicate all my strength to the company until the end of this year."