German economy minister arrives in Kiev on visit with delegation of defense, energy companies

BERLIN. Oct 24 (Interfax) - German Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche is visiting Ukraine with a delegation of German defense and energy companies, Handelsblatt reported on Friday.

"Reiche arrived in Kiev on Friday morning. She will meet with representatives of the government and the business community. Higher resilience of Ukraine is the focal point," Handelsblatt said.

The minister has announced the allocation of an additional 30 million euros to Ukraine for repairing energy systems. According to Handelsblatt, Berlin had contributed 390 million euros to the fund supporting the Ukrainian energy sector earlier.

Reiche's delegation includes employees of the German energy companies RWE and E.ON. She plans to meet with Ukrainian representatives to discuss Berlin's assistance in the protection and repairs of the Ukrainian energy system and the expedited comprehensive shipments of such cargo as transformers.

Most members of the minister's delegation represent security and defense companies in a commercial relationship with Ukraine, including Hensoldt, a manufacturer of sensors and military electronic products, and the Stark and Quantum Systems drone companies, Handelsblatt said.

It said that Quantum Systems planned to double production facilities in Ukraine this year. In turn, the Rheinmetall arms company and the state-run Ukroboronprom have opened a plant for manufacturing and servicing armored personnel carriers.

"Government sources say that Reiche seeks to support and develop industrial cooperation even if no specific decisions are made during the visit," Handelsblatt said.