The French-German cooperation has strongly shaped Europe’s progress. The agreements and controversies between these two countries have influenced the establishment of the European Union, both positively and negatively.

After the Second World War and the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer believed Germany must integrate itself into Europe to guarantee the security of its neighbors, especially the security of France. He hoped to achieve that with the unification of both economies.

Despite this good intention, a conflict existed between Germany and France regarding Germany’s joining the Council of Europe. France expressed its considerations and connected Germany’s request with the Saar question. France wanted to retain the Saar Region; as a result, in March 1950, “The Saar Conventions” were signed. With these conventions, France controlled the economy of the desired Region, and the Saar mines, actually Germany’s property, were leased to France for the next 50 years.

Jean Monnet took the first positive approach. He tried to improve the German-French relationship by intertwining both countries’ coal and steel industries.

In addition, the Schuman Declaration intended for France to accommodate the USA’s demand for Germany’s West integration. This agreement had the advantage of satisfying both countries’ interests. Therefore, the development of the Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community gave Germany a voice. From Germany’s point of view, it limited France’s hostile politics against them. This Authority was supranationally structured, and if a country wanted to join it, all other member countries had to give their approval; furthermore, it held the executive power of the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community). Its responsibility was strictly to adhere to the targets of the ECSC.

The upcoming Pleven Plan aimed to create a European Army with Germany’s contribution while simultaneously discussions about Germany joining NATO were held. However, France was against an entire military restoration. In the end, the interests of both sides, France and Germany, could be satisfied by France achieving a long-term presence of American and British forces on the European continent and Germany renouncing any production of chemical weapons. On the other hand, Germany reached its sovereignty, and Germany’s occupation by the Allies existed only because of a contractual agreement; the General Treaty confirmed its end. Due to this development, the French politicians felt that they were losing power in favor of Germany, and the French National Assembly stopped it first.

1957, the Saar region was finally integrated into the FRG (Federal Republic of Germany). France had already reported in the General Treaty from May 1952 to solve the Saar question according to its concept but didn’t want to configure it separately in a contract. However, France insisted on holding a referendum that, in the end, favored Germany.

Despite this result, cooperation between Germany and France wasn’t negatively influenced, as both countries supported European integration. First, this integration should occur economically; Germany was experiencing a significant economic boom and hoped to expand perspectives regarding its European incorporation. On the other hand, France expected Germany’s integration into the European organization to curb its economic rise.

After the foundation of a political union failed, Adenauer and de Gaulle decided to push ahead with a bilateral alignment. This should be performed in politics, the military, and in exchange in culture and youth. On 22nd January 1963, both sides signed a contract for the French-German collaboration, the Élysée Treaty.

Already in 1950, an impulse had been given to town-twinning. The Father of this idea was Lucien Tharradin, former mayor of Montbéliard, who had survived the Buchenwald concentration camp. His town partners with Ludwigsburg in Baden Württemberg; other cities and regions follow this example.

Many years later, both countries celebrated the 25th Jubilee in 1988, and thereupon, the French-German Fiscal and Economic Council, the French-German Environment Council, and the Franco-German Defense and Security Council were established. Within this framework emerged the Franco-German Brigade and, from it, the Franco-German Eurocorps in 1993. At the 25 Jubilee of the Élysée Treaty, the Adenauer-de Gaulle Prize was established, and since then, it has been awarded yearly.

Through this friendship, three important institutions have emerged: the Franco-German Youth Office in 1963, the TV channel Arte in 1990, and the Franco-German University in 1999.

The celebration of the 40th Élysée Treaty Jubilee on 23rd January 2003 gave the impulse to strengthen the friendship further. The parliaments, Bundestag, and Assemblée Nationale met in Versailles, along with the Council of Ministers. Those state leaders’ encounters were fixed in the Élysée Treaty and also transmitted to the Council of Ministers.

On 23^rd January 2003, one day after the celebrations, French President Chirac inaugurated the new French embassy in Berlin; Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Federal President Johannes Rau were present. This ceremony aimed to underline the uniqueness of the Franco-German relationship.

Seven years later, on February 4, 2010, the Council of Ministers from both sides reached a consensus agreement to establish the Franco-German Agenda 2020, which determined the intentions for the next ten years.

The importance of this friendship is still noticeable today, during the Euro crisis, with the consultation discussions about a financial transaction tax between Merkel and Hollande in 2012.

Lastly, it seems that exclusive Franco-German correspondence is not enough. France and Germany shouldn’t impose their political line on the other European countries. They should instead convince their partner through a discussion and understandable presentation.

©2025, Vasiliki Papadopoulou, all rights reserved.