EU treaty – France and Germany together again
Sunday 23 September 2012
The answer is that Chancellor Merkel and French president Hollande are calling for even more integration, telling a specially-invited group of young people in Ludwigsburg, Germany, that the two countries, Germany and France, bear a "special responsibility" to make Europe "sustainable healthy".
This was Frau Merkel's phrasing, speaking at an event marking the 50th anniversary of de Gaulle's speech to the youth of these countries, pleading for reconciliation after the Second World War.
Hollande, apparently, was more "pragmatic", calling for the Franco-German friendship "to give a new meaning" to Europe. As with an "old couple" it was important that "the flame was re-ignited again and again". Paris and Berlin would strengthen their relationship, and then the European partners would "entrain".
"We must act together or we risk being swept away in each of our nations, by skepticism, selfishness and populism", he said.
The French president then went on to say that not only would the financial and banking sector grow together, but there must also be a political and social union. With that, he was "confident" that Europe would survive the current economic crisis and also the moral crisis
What was remarkable about the meeting though, with speeches shorn of any detail, were the obvious signs of an improved relationship between Merkel and Hollande.
According to Handelsblatt the French president thanked Merkel for her words and gave her two kisses, then referring to the chancellor for the first time as "Angela" - unmistakable signs that the initial tension in their relationship is over.
Thus does the paper declare that France and Germany are together again, and Merkel and Hollande are heading for political union. The "motor of integration" is fired up and ready to go.
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Richard North 23/09/2012
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