Germany wants more time to hash out defense merger

“Perhaps we need more time. It depends on the answers for
our questions, and so I think we need more time,” de Maiziere said Thursday,
according to Reuters.

{mosads}“This is a complex situation, there are a lot of questions
and conditions. Nothing has [been] decided yet,” he said.

Some German lawmakers on Wednesday raised
questions about the 60-40 EADS-BAE ownership ratio under the proposed deal,
suggesting it should be weighted heavier toward EADS.

EADS CEO Tom Enders met German lawmakers on Wednesday to try
and address their concerns.

There are also potential landmines in the United States over
the deal, as the two companies’ U.S. security agreements would have to be
addressed.

But the first hurdle for the deal is the European
governments. De Maiziere said there have been “constructive” talks between
the three countries.

“There are constructive discussions of course among France,
Germany and the U.K. We are friends, so we will see. There is no result and the
situation is open,” he said.

If the $45-billion BAE-EADS merger goes through, it would create the world’s largest defense and aerospace company.