50 Years Élysée Treaty: A Cornerstone of Peace in Europe

Charles de Gaulle (left) and Konrad Adenauer in 1961. (Photo: Bundesarchiv/Wiki Commons)

It was concluded following three devastating military conflicts: the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 from which emerged the modern German nation state and the two world wars, fueled at least to some extent by the notion that the two nations were “arch enemies.”

The Élysée treaty put an end to all that: it wasn’t simply a peace agreement but called for consultations between France and Germany on all important questions and regular summits between high level officials were established.

Among the direct consequences of the treaty were the creation of the Franco-German Office for Youth, the creation of Franco-German high schools and direct partnerships between numerous French and German towns, schools and regions.

Young people from both countries would meet and get to know each other instead of thinking they’re arch enemies. In that regard the treaty has been a spectacular success: a war between Germany and France is now pretty unthinkable.

Like many others, I myself visited France many times when I grew up in Germany and our family hosted French exchange students. France was no longer the enemy across the Rhine of my parents’ generation but a weekend trip to Paris.

There are disagreements, of course, and being good neighbors is very important again in times of economic hardship say the leaders France’s and Germany’s socialist parties in a joint article.

“The crisis in the eurozone can only be overcome if Germany and France work together,” write Harlem Désir und Sigmar Gabriel in Der Spiegel and Libération.

And that’s exactly the plan according to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “Germany and France intend to work together on proposals on how to improve economic coordination in the European Union this spring as the continent struggles to overcome its debt crisis and generate growth,” Merkel said after meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Berlin.

But first there’s time for a little celebration: as part of the “festival of friendship,” France and Germany are issuing stamps, coins and other memorabilia.

And more than 500 French lawmakers are coming to the German capital for a joint session with the Bundestag.