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23.01.2013

Wolfram Maas: France-Germany cooperation helped reorient European policy

MINSK, 23 January (BelTA) – Close cooperation between France and Germany helped reorient the European policy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Belarus Wolfram Maas said at the French-German reception to mark the 50th anniversary of signing the German-French cooperation agreement, known as the Elysee Treaty, BelTA has learnt.

According to the diplomat, French President Charles de Gaulle and Germany’s chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed the Elysee pact in Paris on 22 January 1963. The document made a milestone in the history of the bilateral relations. The treaty helped to reconcile Germans and Frenchmen and still makes the framework for close political friendship. “Over the past 50 years we have proved our ability to build up an integrated Europe, letting everyone preserve their identity. The European Union would be impossible without close cooperation between France and Germany,” Wolfram Maas said.

In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Belarus Michel Raineri noted that the Elysee Treaty does not only reflect the unity of interests, but also makes a basis for developing new forms of cooperation.

French and German embassies celebrate this event worldwide. Berlin hosted official celebrations on 21-22 January.