40 years of the Elysée Treaty; Chirac and Schroder to address joint session Epic of French-German Friendship

January 22, 2003
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Kathmandu: Today, exactly “40 years ago, on January 22, 1963, President Charles de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed a treaty of friendship which set the seal on post-war reconciliation between French and Germans, bringing to an end many decades of enmity between them. This treaty, named the Elysée Treaty for short after the place in which it was signed, has not only had considerable effects on the political future of both countries, but has also been the driving force behind the remarkable development towards greater European integration throughout those 40 years. Since then, it can be said that there has been a very special relationship between Germany and France, states a rare press release issued by the French and the German side jointly on a common event that shaped the then Europe and has yet been a source of friendship in between the two powerful nations of Europe.

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It was this will to forge closer ties between France and Germany which gave rise to the European Economic Community, starting with the Schuman-Adenauer Declaration of May 9, 1950, followed by the ECSC, European Coal and Steel Community, and the creation of the Common Market in 1957.

The press release fuerther adds: “In order to emphasize the importance of the anniversary, the elected representatives of both countries in a uniquely symbolic act will gather for a joint plenary meeting of the Bundestag and the Assemblée Nationale in Versailles. This and other joint events manifest the friendly and creative partnership which will be in future like in the past the right framework for a dialogue and fruitful exchange of ideas to formulate European answers and to further promote European unity”, the press release concludes.

Telegraph adds: The celebration of the Elysee treaty’s 40th anniversary coincides with the 80th Franco-German consultations, at the end of which the anniversary joint declaration will be adopted. Numerous events have been planned by both Germany and France in Paris and in Berlin for 22 and 23 January, as well as throughout the year.

According to reports, Franco-German day in Paris will be celebrated on January 22 and the same event will be held in Berlin on January 23. Tomorrow.

Among other events that will mark the occasion, a joint session of the National Assembly and the Bundestag will be held at Versailles, to be graciously addressed by President Chirac and Chancellor Schroder.