The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc., The European Equity Fund, Inc., and The New Germany Fund, Inc. Announce Appointment of New Chairman of the Board

Rhea-AI Summary

The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (CEE) and The European Equity Fund, Inc. (EEA) announced the appointment of Mr. Bernhard Koepp as the new Chairman of each Fund’s Board effective January 1, 2024, replacing Mr. Christian Strenger. The New Germany Fund, Inc. (GF) also announced the retirement of Mr. Christian Strenger and Dr. Christopher Pleister from the Board. The announcement highlighted the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the value and liquidity of the Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. portfolios, as well as the adverse effects of sanctions on the Russian economy.

Positive

• The appointment of Mr. Bernhard Koepp as the new Chairman brings stability and continuity to the Boards of the Funds.
• The retirement of Mr. Christian Strenger and Dr. Christopher Pleister reflects a transition in leadership within the Funds.
• The PR provides valuable insights into the potential impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the related sanctions on the Funds’ portfolios.

Negative

• None.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (NYSE: CEE), The European Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE: EEA) and The New Germany Fund, Inc. (NYSE: GF) (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”) each announced today that, in connection with the previously announced retirements of Mr. Christian Strenger and Dr. Christopher Pleister from each Fund’s Board, the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Bernhard Koepp, Independent Director of each Fund, to succeed Mr. Christian Strenger as the Chairman of each Fund’s Board effective January 1, 2024, rather than Mr. Walter C. Dostmann, as previously announced. Mr. Dostmann will continue to serve as a Director for the Funds.

The Boards thanks Mr. Strenger and Dr. Pleister for their excellent service for many years to the Funds.

For more information on each Fund, including the most recent month-end performance, visit www.dwsfunds.com or call (800) 349-4281.

Important Information

Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a one-time public offering and once issued, shares of closed-end funds are sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of the fund’s shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, the fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value.

The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. is non-diversified and can take larger positions in fewer issues, increasing its potential risk. Investing in foreign securities, particularly of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Any fund that focuses in a particular segment of the market or region of the world will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly. This fund is non-diversified and can take larger positions in fewer issues, increasing its potential risk.

The European Equity Fund, Inc. is diversified and primarily focuses its investments in equity securities of issuers domiciled in Europe, thereby increasing its vulnerability to developments in that region. Investing in foreign securities, particularly of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Any fund that concentrates in a particular segment of the market or a particular geographical region will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly.

The New Germany Fund, Inc. is diversified, and primarily focuses its investments in Germany, thereby increasing its vulnerability to developments in that region. Investing in foreign securities, particularly of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Any fund that concentrates in a particular segment of the market or a particular geographical region will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly.

The shares of most closed-end funds, including the Funds, are not continuously offered. Once issued, shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of a fund’s shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, a fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below, or above net asset value. In the case of The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has materially adversely affected, and may continue to materially adversely affect, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio.

War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in US and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Funds and their investments.

The European Union, the United States and other countries have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to Russian military and other actions in recent years. These sanctions have adversely affected Russian individuals, issuers and the Russian economy. Russia, in turn, has imposed sanctions targeting Western individuals, businesses and products. The various sanctions have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, not only the Russian economy, but also the economies of many countries in Europe, including countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The continuation of current sanctions or the imposition of additional sanctions may materially adversely affect the value of the Funds’ portfolios.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.

Certain statements contained in this release may be forward-looking in nature. These include all statements relating to plans, expectations, and other statements that are not historical facts and typically use words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Such statements represent management’s current beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. Management does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements: (i) the effects of adverse changes in market and economic conditions; (ii) legal and regulatory developments; and (iii) other additional risks and uncertainties, including public health crises (including the recent pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus), war, terrorism, trade disputes and related geopolitical events.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

NOT FDIC/ NCUA INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NO BANK GUARANTEE
NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

DWS Distributors, Inc.
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
www.dws.com
Tel (800) 621-1148
© 2023 DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA. All rights reserved

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services. (R-098589-1) (11/23)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231113426830/en/

DWS Press Office (212) 454-4500

Shareholder Account Information (800) 294-4366

DWS Closed-End Funds (800) 349-4281

Source: DWS

FAQ

Who is the new Chairman of The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc.?

Mr. Bernhard Koepp has been appointed as the new Chairman of The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. effective January 1, 2024.

What impact has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had on the Funds?

The invasion has materially adversely affected the value and liquidity of the Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. portfolios.

What are the risks associated with investing in foreign securities?

Investing in foreign securities presents risks such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks, particularly in emerging markets.