Eastern European leaders discuss investments in security

The state premiers of the eastern German states want to place greater emphasis on investments in security and defense. At a special conference at BER Airport in Schönefeld today, they will discuss strengthening the aerospace industry, expanding drone technology—for example, at former NVA military airfields—improving train connections to the east, and increasing long-haul flights at BER Airport. Afterward, they plan to visit the International Aerospace Exhibition Berlin (ILA Berlin) at the capital’s airport.

Wegner: Eastern States as a Hub for Aerospace

Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, the host of the meeting, views the agenda as a response to the current situation. “We are facing major security policy challenges in Germany,” the CDU politician told the German Press Agency. “At our special conference of the heads of government of the eastern German states, we want to discuss investments in security and defense technology, but also highlight the importance of the eastern German states as a location for the aerospace industry.”

Talks with the Minister of Transport

They also intend to discuss these topics with the federal government during their meeting. Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder (CDU) and the Commissioner for Eastern Germany, Elisabeth Kaiser, are expected in Schönefeld. At a press conference at noon, the heads of the eastern state governments plan to present the results of their discussions before taking a tour of the ILA grounds.

The aerospace exhibition will showcase new products and innovations from the fields of aviation, space, and defense. The trade show is open only to industry professionals through Friday; on Saturday and Sunday, it is open to the general public.

Brandenburg, Saxony, and the European research program Clean Aviation have entered into a partnership to mark the start of the ILA aviation trade fair. Their goal is to advance the development of low-emission—that is, environmentally friendly—aircraft technologies, as announced by the Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs.