France and
Germany are marking the 50th anniversary of a treaty that helped to
reconcile the two former foes. The German and French leaders have been
holding talks in Berlin and there will also be a joint session of the
two countries' parliaments. The Elysee Treaty was signed by Charles de
Gaulle of France and Germany's Konrad Adenauer on 22 January 1963.
Despite ups and downs in the relationship, Berlin and Paris have been
key shapers of the European Union.
De Gaulle described Europe as "a coach and horses, with Germany the horse and France the coachman", and the co-operation between the two nations has been the foundation stone of the European project.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande met figures from the arts world at the French embassy in Berlin.
To celebrate what has been described as a festival of friendship, France and Germany are issuing stamps, coins and other items of memorabilia. French flags will be flying beside those of Germany in Berlin. Later on Tuesday, more than 500 French lawmakers will travel to the German capital for the session with the Bundestag. There will also be a joint cabinet dinner and a concert.
50 years of friendship:
- The 1963 Elysee Treaty was a milestone for France and Germany, who had fought three bloody wars in 70 years
- The two became the "motor" behind EU integration and enlargement
- Diplomatically, they stood together in opposition to the Iraq invasion of 2003
- Since the creation of the Franco-German Brigade, a battalion of German troops has been based in Illkirch in eastern France
- The two have recently differed over French foreign policy, such as intervention in Mali, and the austerity/growth debate inside the eurozone
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