Following pilot recovery programs, a former German Federal Minister for the Environment, Steffi Lemke, is urging the German government to accelerate the clearance of unexploded wartime ordnance from the North and Baltic Seas. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Lemke emphasized the need for decisive action, stating that the technical groundwork for the comprehensive removal process should be commissioned this year to avoid further delays.
A crucial step, according to Lemke, involves reaching a reliable funding agreement between the coastal states and the federal government. She noted that extensive preparations have already been undertaken and expressed worry that the Federal Minister of Finance might halt progress if this agreement isn’t finalized.
Lemke indicated that negotiations under the previous administration had progressed constructively and stressed the importance of concluding these discussions in the coming weeks. She remarked on the significant hope amongst stakeholders who have witnessed generations of deferred action towards this long-standing issue, advocating for the government to move beyond the pilot programs and demonstrate sustained commitment to resolving the situation.
