Close Franco-German Cooperation - Essential for Europe's Future

Unfortunately, I did not have time to comment on the presidential elections in France. Yet, instead, I can now write about the first day in office of the new French President for today, Wednesday May 16, 2007, Sarkozy was sworn in as new President of France. Right after his inauguration, President Sarkozy paid a visit to German Chancellor and actual President of the Council of the European Union, Angela Merkel (article in German) - an act full of symbolism; or reciprocity? In fact, Angela Merkel had already made France the destination of her first journey abroad.

The franco-german cooperation has a long tradition and played an important role in the creation of the European Union. Yet, during the era of Merkel's predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, the relationship between the two countries cooled for Schroeder was more oriented towards strengthening Germany's diplomatic relations with Russia. This political decision may have had an important impact on European politics: With Germany no longer focusing on EU interests, France turned towards domestic matters. The EU lost importance ... and popularity as it became more and more remote. This development culminated in 2005 when the French people - out of discontent with their current government - rejected the proposed European Constitution. This referendum called the future of the European Union in question. Now, the hope is that the new rapprochement of France and Germany could bring the long anticipated upswing in the European constitutional process. And, indeed, the European constitutional treaty was topic of today's meeting between Sarkozy and Merkel.

And Russia? Tomorrow, Thursday May 17, Angela Merkel in her function as President of the Council of the European Union will meet with Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission and Russian President Vladimir Putin (article in German). The relations between Russia and the EU are currently rather tense. Thus, due to Russia restricting imports of its meat, Poland prevented that the renewal of the partnership between EU and Russia was put on the agenda of tomorrow's meeting. More to follow ...