Franco-German pact gives Europe hope

AACHEN, January 22 

The leaders of France and Germany signed a new treaty on Tuesday to update their 1963 post-war reconciliation accord, aiming to reinvigorate the European Union’s main axis as growing eurosceptic nationalism tests the bloc’s cohesion.

At a warm ceremony in the German border city of Aachen, a historical symbol of European concord, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron sought to show they are ready to give fresh leadership to the troubled EU project.

The leaders want the 16-page Aachen Treaty, negotiated over the past year to update the 1963 Elysee Treaty of post-war reconciliation, to give an impulse to European unity that has been strained by Brexit, immigration and the euro zone crisis.

“We are doing this because we live in special times and because in these times we need resolute, distinct, clear, forward-looking answers,” said Merkel, noting Aachen was home to Charlemagne, whom she dubbed “the father of Europe”.

Macron added: “At a time when Europe is threatened by nationalism, which is growing from within, when Europe is shaken by the pains of Brexit and worried by global changes that go far beyond the national level ... Germany and France must assume their responsibility and show the way forward.” 

Short on detail, the treaty extension commits to closer foreign and defence policy ties but does little to push forward euro zone economic reform.

The Aachen document stipulates that it will be a priority of German-French diplomacy for Germany to be accepted as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Germany has for years sought greater influence within the international body, to which its closest allies the US, Britain and France belong.

While making clear that Germany and France remain committed to the EU and NATO defence alliance, the agreement also signals that Berlin and Paris will combat efforts by some nationalist politicians in Europe to erode the 28-nation EU.

Facing new challenges from US President Donald Trump in the United States as well as EU governments in Italy, Poland and Hungary, Merkel and Macron are keen to head off any breakthrough for eurosceptic parties in a European Parliament vote in May. — Reuters

Fresh impetus to European unity

• The EU is struggling with Brexit turmoil, rising nationalism and divisions over basic issues like migration, the economy and defence and this renewed pact will give a boost to European unity
• Merkel and Macron met in the German city of Aachen on the French border where both penned their names on the new treaty, a symbolic extension of the post-war reconciliation to update the 1963 Elysee Treaty 
• The new agreement aims to deepen French-German cooperation in education, the environment, security and economic policy. But critics say the new treaty falls far short of lofty ambitions for a more powerful and unified Europe
• The German town of Aachen, known in French as Aix-la-Chapelle, is highly symbolic. A year before World War II’s end, it became the first German town captured by allies following a devastating battle