German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has rejected criticism that Berlin puts its arms industry ahead of European defense cooperation, arguing that countries across the EU seek to protect their own manufacturers.
Speaking at the Berlin Security Conference on Wednesday, Pistorius was responding to Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the European Parliament’s defense committee. She accused Germany of focusing too heavily on buying weapons from domestic manufacturers rather than working with European partners.
Pistorius said EU countries regularly call for more defense cooperation and joint arms projects, but each also insists that its own industry should not be left behind when decisions are made.
Sources: Politico Europe.