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Multi-faceted Franco-German relations
Minister of State Link and Minister Delegate for European Affairs Bernard Cazeneuve
© AA
Minister of State Link and Minister Delegate for European Affairs Bernard Cazeneuve
Minister of State Link and Minister Delegate for European Affairs Bernard Cazeneuve
© AA
On 21 May, Minister of State Michael Link welcomed the new French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Bernard Cazeneuve for his inaugural visit to Berlin. They discussed European issues as well as matters of bilateral cooperation.
After the talks with Minister of State Link, Cazeneuve underlined the great importance he attached to coming to Germany on his first trip abroad as Minister Delegate for European Affairs. Minister of State Link had called him immediately after he took office and invited him to Berlin, he said. This demonstrated the great significance of Franco-German relations, Cazeneuve continued, adding that the new French Government also considered this relationship to be very important. It was crucial to discuss further cooperation, also with regard to the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty.
Twenty-two January 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty. This 1963 treaty established the contractual foundation for Franco-German cooperation. Since then, a tight network of multi-faceted relations has developed at all levels of politics, business and society. To commemorate the anniversary, the two counties’ Parliaments will convene in joint session, among other things.
Minister of State Link emphasized that the anniversary celebrations were not a project for the elites. They rather offered the opportunity of presenting the “wealth and variety” of Franco-German relations.
Another key issue of the meeting was overcoming the current debt crisis in Europe. Minister of State Link called the European Council due at the end of June a “crucial date”. This Council was expected to take important decisions. He said that the German Government thought it was vital, on the one hand, to successfully consolidate national budgets and reduce debt levels and, on the other, to create the conditions for more growth. Link announced that he would meet with Cazeneuve again in June to follow up on these issues.
Last updated 21.05.2012