Today's Date:

The Elysée Treaty between France and the Federal Republic of Germany, signed 40 years ago by General de Gaulle and Chancellor Adenauer, set the seal on reconciliation between our two nations and laid the groundwork for lasting peace on the continent. It ushered in an era of unprecedented cooperation between the two countries and gave decisive momentum to European cooperation. Our close dialogue and daily cooperation in economic matters, research, culture and education are leading to a growing number of exchanges between our societies.

As a result of the Treaty, mechanisms for coordination and structures for dialogue were set up that have stood the test of time. Where before we had half-yearly summits, we now have informal meetings in accordance with the so-called Blaesheim process. Other institutions, unique of their kind, have been set up such as the Franco-German Youth Office [OFAJ], the Franco-German High Cultural Council, the ARTE cultural television network and the Franco-German University.

OFAJ exchange programs have benefited seven million young French and Germans since 1963. Every year 150,000 continue to take part in OFAJ programs which have been extended to our European partners. Such close links between the young people of two countries is unprecedented and sets an example well beyond Europe’s borders.

The anniversary of the Treaty will be an opportunity to reaffirm the key role that France and Germany intend to continue to play in European integration, especially in the context of Union enlargement.

For as President Chirac said at the Nantes summit in November 2001, when the Franco-German engine functions Europe moves forward, and it stagnates when relations between France and Germany stand still.

The president and chancellor had that in mind when they announced at the Franco-German summit in Schwerin (July 30, 2002) that they intended to seek common positions at the next important European meetings. A case in point was the agreement reached on the sidelines of the European council in Brussels on financing the common agricultural policy, which paved the way for the historic summit in Copenhagen.

France and Germany have begun close cooperation at the Convention on the Future of Europe. They have presented common contributions on European security and defense policy, and on justice and home affairs. They are preparing together a common position on the institutions of the European Union ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty.

While the end of the Cold War and German unification began the movement for uniting Europe, the achievements of forty years of cooperation augur well for the ability of France and Germany to address the challenges of globalization and provide the necessary drive for European integration in the run-up to the Union’s historic enlargement. For that reason January 22, 2003 is to mark the starting point of a new phases in rapprochement between our two countries.

Dominique de Villepin
Minister of Foreign Affairs