MERGER WEIGHTING

Asked if he was happy with the proposed 60-40 merger weighting between EADS and BAE, de Maiziere said this was not an issue for him. “This is not on my table,” he said.

A German economy ministry document, obtained by Reuters on Monday, showed Germany had deep reservations about the planned merger, including doubts about whether the combined group would be safe from takeovers and could guarantee jobs.

The paper said the 60-40 ratio “does not correctly reflect the actual value which is closer to 70 to 30.”

With government approval imperative, EADS boss Tom Enders took the case for the planned merger to German lawmakers on Wednesday, making clear his belief in reducing state influence in the company.

EADS has factories across Germany, France, Spain and Britain, and the deal, which would dilute their influence, has sparked government concerns.

EADS and BAE have said they will offer the governments of France, Germany and Britain a “golden share” in the new company, allowing them to block any future hostile takeover.

Separately, the head of Mercedes-manufacturer Daimler AG , which holds a 15 percent stake in EADS, declined to give a view on EADS’ future, saying it wanted to focus on its auto business.

“It is not our key responsibility to determine the future strategy of the aerospace industry,” Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said at the Paris Auto Show.