Northern interior ministers discuss security strategies in Rostock

Northern interior ministers discuss security strategies in Rostock

Today, July 11th, 2025, the interior ministers of the northern German federal states will meet in the Hanseatic city of Rostock. From 9:50 a.m. the exchange will take place in the Hanseatic Barracks on the grounds of the Naval Command. The ministers will address the importance of civil-military cooperation (CMC) in the coastal regions, which has become increasingly important due to the current geopolitical situation. The discussions will particularly focus on topics such as combating hybrid threats, cybersecurity and maritime security. These priorities are particularly relevant in view of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which has fundamentally changed the security policy situation in Europe, as Welt highlights.

The attack on Ukraine in 2022 and the annexation of Crimea in 2014 have significantly influenced the perception of threats and the associated security policy in Germany. During this time it has become clear that the strategy of pacifying Russia through economic ties has not achieved the desired effect. Based on these findings, the Future Forum for Public Security has published a GREEN BOOK ZMZ 4.0, which provides recommendations for action and addresses the urgent need for a coordinated response from the population, political decision-makers and administration, as Zoe's Bund reports.

Hybrid threats in sight

Civil-military cooperation describes the essential cooperation between civil organizations and armed forces. It is becoming increasingly important, especially in view of hybrid warfare and the influence of other states. This requires a rethink in security and foreign policy, which must be prepared for a wide range of threats, including military conflicts, cyberattacks and natural disasters. The aim of the ZMZ is to strengthen resilience at all levels and to defend a rules-based international order, according to sicherheitsmelder.

A central point in the discussions will be strengthening resilience against these threats. It is crucial for Germany to have sufficient capabilities to support the Bundeswehr in the event of a crisis. The responsibility of society as a whole also plays a major role: the ZMZ requires mutual support and the trust of all actors, supported by transparent and democratically legitimized integration processes. This is the only way to ensure the social cohesion that is essential for managing and combating such threats.

• Wichtige Bereiche zur Verbesserung in der ZMZ:
• Abschreckung zur Friedenssicherung
• Aufbau von Vertrauen und Kooperation zwischen den Akteuren
• Integration militärischer Unterstützung in zivile Prozesse
• Schutz kritischer Infrastrukturen
• Klare organisatorische Strukturen und Verantwortlichkeiten

The results of the meeting, including concrete measures and recommendations, will be presented at a press conference in the afternoon. The focus will be on the ministers of the represented states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Bremen in order to bring future security strategies and civil-military cooperation to the fore.