To mark the 50. anniversary of the signing of the Elysée Treaty (on 22 January 1963), a round table discussion was held on April 17 from 10 a.m. at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, highlighting the strength and history of the Franco-German relationship.
This year France and Germany are celebrating the anniversary of a friendship treaty signed by Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer on January 22nd, 1963. The agreement sealed Franco-German reconciliation and formed the bedrock for the Franco-German partnership. The two countries were already founding members of the European Economic Community (EEC), created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome, along with four other European countries. Today, the Franco-German powerhouse is central to the European Union.
The German side was represented by Dr. Stefan Seidendorf, Head of the European Department of German-French Institute (dfi) in Ludwigsburg. Mrs Marion Gaillard, professor in Sciences-Po Paris, a specialist of the German History, the French-German relationships and the European issues presented the French point of view. German-French tandem from the point of view of other EU member states was covered by Prof. Ramūnas Vilpišauskas (IIRPS VU). The round table discussion was moderated by the Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, Petras Auštrevičius. Dr. Stefab Seidendorf also delivered a lecture “50 years after the Elysée-Treaty: The ongoing importance of France and Germany for the future of Europe”.
For the programme of the discussion please see here.