BERLIN 

Germany’s intelligence chief has defended cooperation with the NSA, after the German secret service was found to have helped the American agency spy on European politicians and companies for years.   

Germany’s foreign intelligence service BND director Gerhard Schindler told lawmakers on Thursday that cooperation with the NSA was vital for the security of Germany and of its soldiers stationed abroad.

“The NSA is our partner, not a rival or enemy,” Schindler said, during a hearing before the parliament’s investigation committee. “We are dependent on the NSA, and not vice versa.” 

“The NSA is not threatening German interests, but it is supporting us,” he added, arguing that it was impossible for the BND to fulfill its responsibilities without international cooperation.

The BND is under growing pressure due to recent reports of a controversial secret cooperation with NSA.

The cooperation agreement signed between the two agencies in 2002 allowed for spying on telephone and internet communications in conflict regions from the Bad Aibling station, located in southern Germany, according to German officials.

But reports late last month revealed that the U.S. spy agency had not only monitored conflict regions but had also spied on European politicians, institutions and companies, like aerospace giant EADS.

Schindler confirmed on Thursday that he had instructed a review in August 2013 of the list of search parameters demanded by the NSA, such as telephone numbers, email accounts and IP addresses, due to doubts arisen following revelations made by U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden on the American spy agency's methods.

Schindler claimed that he was first informed about broader problems with the parameters list in March 2015, when an investigation group within the BND informed him of its findings.

He declined to give any information on the numbers and contents on the list of monitored telephones and e-mail accounts. He also declined to answer questions on whether the NSA had carried out economic espionage against German companies.

The head of German intelligence proceeded to demand clearer guidelines from lawmakers in order to make clear what is allowed and not allowed.

German opposition parties have criticized Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government for not exerting any effective control on the intelligence service and on its cooperation with the U.S.

Opposition parties suspect U.S. surveillance also targeted German and European interests. They are demanding a complete list of telephone numbers, email accounts and IP addresses monitored by the BND in cooperation with the NSA.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has so far resisted meeting that demand, arguing that Berlin had to first consult with Washington.

She also defended cooperation with the NSA, citing the growing terrorism threats.