German Interior Ministers to include Defense Ministry in security talks

Germany's Interior Ministers' Conference (IMK) will now formally incorporate the Defense Ministry and the Bundeswehr into its deliberations, signaling a strengthened focus on national security. Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote, serving as the current IMK chairman, announced that this integration aims to consolidate efforts among interior departments and security agencies to make joint decisions.

The upcoming conference, set to take place in Hamburg, will prioritize enhancing civil defense capabilities and effectively countering hybrid threats. Grote emphasized the need to develop civil defense as a "second equal pillar" of overall defense, alongside military capabilities, and stressed the importance of closer coordination with the Bundeswehr. This strategic shift acknowledges the evolving security landscape and the interconnectedness of internal and external defense measures.

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Internal security is a joint task in Germany, and the Interior Ministers' Conference is the platform where we, as interior departments and security authorities, bundle our forces and make joint decisions.

Delegates will address approximately 80 proposals submitted by the federal states. Key agenda items include the implementation of new migration policies following the European Union's Asylum System (Geas), as well as measures for the repatriation of convicted foreign nationals. The conference will also delve into improving security at football stadiums and combating organized crime and sexual violence.

Notably, Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is expected to attend the IMK plenary session on Friday. His participation underscores the significance of the defense sector's involvement in discussions concerning internal security and the broader concept of total defense. The integration of defense perspectives into the IMK reflects a comprehensive approach to safeguarding Germany in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

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We must develop civil defense as a second equal pillar of overall defense alongside military defense.