On October 14, 2008, a parliamentary evening was held at the Bavarian state representative office in Berlin. Lutz Bertling, president and CEO of Eurocopter, gave a speech outlining the Group’s current situation to 200 important guests, including German members of parliament, members of the government, representatives from the army, and Eurocopter’s customers. The guests were welcomed by Bundestag President Norbert Lammert. In his speech, Dr. Bertling discussed the progress of the Group’s current research programs, underlined the efforts Eurocopter is making to keep its position as the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, and offered his analysis of the Group’s future prospects given the present financial turmoil. This highly appreciated event is organized every year to thank the company’s main political contacts, and to inform Eurocopter’s customers.