1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Bernd Pfaffenbach

May 18, 2007

Bernd Pfaffenbach is the undersecretary of state in the finance ministry and Chancellor Merkel's G8 sherpa.

https://p.dw.com/p/AfUs
Bernd PfaffenbachImage: Bundesbildstelle

I have been assigned to preparing the G8 summit so that decisions can be made effectively when leaders get to the table. Complex talks require significant preparation if they are going to be dealt with efficiently in the time available.

I am the G8 sherpa to Chancellor Merkel, and there are sherpas to all the other leaders of members countries, whom I meet with regularly to work on summit drafts. It's not always easy, because all G8 members have to be in agreement. I have to be in tune with what the interests of others are and work with them diplomatically to probe for a solution that also meets our aims.

I am used to working long hours, but I also find I can quite easily switch off on weekends and relax -- when I have to the weekend off. I will be happy if the summit comes off successfully. If it doesn't, it will be because of bad lack or because we did a bad job. That's not what we would hope for.