https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, Dec 2 (Alliance News): Ambassadors of the European Union, France and Germany on Tuesday highlighted the historic significance of French-German reconciliation and its enduring contribution to peace, stability and cooperation in Europe, during an event marking the 80th anniversary of the landmark partnership.
Speaking at the gathering, the Ambassador of the European Union said the reconciliation between France and Germany paved the way for the modern EU, transforming a continent once torn by conflict into a model of political and economic cooperation.
He noted that Europe’s integration emerged from the “troubled past of the 20th century,” which had plunged the continent into destruction.
The ambassador underlined that the EU itself owes its formation to the long-standing efforts of France and Germany to replace hostility with collective progress, adding that the lessons of history remain essential at a time when new global challenges are reshaping geopolitics.
The Ambassador of France Nicolas Galey, addressing professors, students and diplomats, emphasised that the French-German experience proved that even nations once engaged in devastating wars can overcome bitterness to build a shared future.
He said the presence of students at the event was especially meaningful, as they represent the region’s next generation of thinkers and leaders.
The ambassador noted that the reconciliation demonstrated how two former adversaries were able to agree on fundamental priorities—peace, prosperity and stability—through decades of sustained dialogue and cooperation.
The Ambassador of Germany, reflecting on the deep transformation of relations between the two nations, said that the close political, cultural, educational and economic ties seen today would have been unimaginable during his grandparents’ generation, who lived through the horrors of two world wars.
He shared personal anecdotes about how earlier generations viewed cross-border exchanges with suspicion, while today’s youth benefit from decades of deliberate policies that promoted cooperation, mobility and shared learning.
He praised the vision of political leaders such as France’s General Charles de Gaulle and Germany’s Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who pushed for reconciliation despite opposition.
Their efforts led to the historic 1963 Élysée Treaty, which laid the foundation for modern French-German friendship and became a cornerstone of European integration.
He noted that subsequent leaders continued this tradition, deepening cooperation and guiding Europe through major developments, including the fall of communist regimes and the unification of Germany.
The German envoy said the French-German partnership helped shape EU enlargement and strengthen unity across the continent.
However, he also pointed to current global challenges, particularly Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, which has once again tested Europe’s political resolve and security priorities.
He noted that while some political actors attempt to downplay the significance of the conflict, responsible leadership requires a united European stance in support of Ukraine and the defence of shared democratic values.
The envoys collectively underscored that the French-German model of reconciliation remains a powerful example for the world, demonstrating that long-term peace is possible through mutual respect, political courage and sustained engagement.
