Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action begins work on a military equipment export control act

State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Sven Giegold and the responsible staff members of the Ministry today met with representatives of science, civil society and churches to discuss the new military equipment export control act planned by the Federal Government. The expert discussion marked the start of the Federal Government's public work on the draft law. In a direct exchange of views, the participants described their expectations for the new law to State Secretary Giegold and discussed a variety of aspects that might be regulated in it.

State Secretary Sven Giegold said: "The government parties are pursuing the goal of passing a military equipment export control act which is an important project for the current legislative period. This law is intended to establish binding regulations for a restrictive arms export policy. This process is to be conducted transparently and with the early involvement of interested parties who want to contribute to this controversial debate. This is why today's exchange with civil society is particularly important to me. I attach equal importance to the upcoming exchange with the companies of the defence industry.

In Brussels, I learned how beneficial a legislative process that is transparent from the outset can be. This is the reason why we are now for the first time applying these European methods in Germany. Before a draft bill is prepared by the ministries, all interest groups can contribute publicly. We have published all written comments and are now discussing them in two hearings."

Based on the coalition agreement, the Federal Government is currently drafting a military equipment control act under the lead responsibility of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. For the first time in German history, the Federal Government's military equipment export control is to be comprehensively enshrined in law. Today's meeting is one of two expert discussions in the course of drafting the law. On 6 April, State Secretary Giegold met with representatives of companies and arms industry associations to discuss their expectations for the new law. The minutes of both hearings will also be published. Following this, the Federal Government will develop key points for a bill.

All statements and further information can be found here.