The eastern German federal states are calling for greater consideration to be given to EU upgrading programs. Current and future EU funding programs should include criteria to systematically consider structurally weak regions such as eastern Germany, according to a European declaration by the eastern states.
"Funding should also be provided for technologies with dual benefits, cyber solutions and medical technology in order to activate existing industrial potential in structurally challenged regions of the EU for value creation and resilience," reads the declaration, which was published after a meeting of the eastern German minister presidents in Brussels. In it, they call for "special consideration to be given" to defense investments and the implementation of the EU plan "ReArm Europe".