ILA Berlin
Chancellor Angela Merkel has stressed the importance of Franco-German cooperation in the aerospace sector. Speaking at the opening of the ILA aerospace fair in Berlin, she said that the two countries cooperate particularly closely in the defence sector. France is this year’s partner country of the ILA.
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This year's ILA is synonymous with the successful cooperation with France, said Angela Merkel
Photo: Bundesregierung/Bergmann
France and Germany are partners at the ILA aerospace fair for the first time this year. The ILA is symbolic of the close and successful cooperation with France, this year’s partner country, declared Angela Merkel in her address.
Partnership inspires European cooperation
In the defence sector, cooperation is particularly close. "We procure aircraft jointly, we have joint squadrons, we conduct foreign missions together," said the Chancellor. "It is thus only logical if we organise training and operations jointly."
The Franco-German partnership regularly inspires European cooperation. The two countries ensure that the vision of a European Defence Union is increasingly coming to life.
Joint Franco-German projects
During her visit to the trade fair, Angela Merkel was accompanied by Delphine Gény-Stephann, Minister of State at France’s Ministry of Economy and Finance. Together they toured the fair, visiting a number of German, French and international exhibitors. The focus was on joint Franco-German projects in the fields of civilian aviation, military cooperation and space.
The ILA aerospace trade fair will be showcasing trends and innovations in the aerospace sector from 25 to 29 April. It is held once every two years in Schönefeld, by Berlin. This year it expects to attract 150,000 visitors. Around 1,100 exhibitors from 41 countries are represented.