From Weeze to Xanten: Minister President Hendrik Wüst visits the Lower Rhine region
On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Minister-President Hendrik Wüst visited the Lower Rhine region. The visit took him through the districts of Kleve, Viersen, and Wesel, as well as to Krefeld. As part of a total of seven appointments, the Minister-President engaged in conversations with the local people and gathered information about current projects and challenges in the areas of transformation, culture, security, agriculture, as well as children and youth policies.
Minister-President Hendrik Wüst: “The Lower Rhine region combines many success factors of a livable and sustainable area: It is characterized by a variety of local and international companies. Many family-run businesses operate alongside major chemical and logistics companies. The good relationship with the Netherlands is based on a long and valuable tradition of cross-border cooperation. And last but not least, the Lower Rhine region stands for impressive nature and culture – with its castles, museums, and Germany’s longest signposted cycling network. Personally, I am impressed by the commitment of the people in the region: Heart and willingness to help define the Lower Rhine. Many volunteers contribute to strengthening the community in the region. All of this shows how the diversity of people and regions makes our country strong.”
Groundbreaking for Rheinmetall-Werk in Weeze
The start of the day was marked by the symbolic groundbreaking for a new state-of-the-art factory by Rheinmetall in Weeze. On an area of approximately 60,000 square meters, a facility for the production of fuselage components of the currently most advanced combat aircraft in the world, the F-35A Lightning II, will be built here.
“The war in Ukraine and the associated geopolitical changes show us that our democracy must be resilient,” said Minister-President Hendrik Wüst. “Our soldiers need the best equipment available. The planned state-of-the-art factory in Weeze not only has an economic dimension but also a defense policy dimension. The fact that Rheinmetall, as a significant employer in the region, has chosen Weeze in collaboration with its US partners, confirms the attractiveness of North Rhine-Westphalia as a location for investments and innovations.”