Speech by the German Ambassador Prof. Dr Heinrich Kreft, Diplomatic Council President, on the occasion of the Summer Festival 2025 on Germany's friendship with France, addressing the French Consul General Nicolas Bergeret:

After the devastating wars of the 20th century, both countries recognized that peace and stability can only be achieved through dialogue and through cooperation. The idea of German-French cooperation was born in your country, in my country, but also in Luxembourg. In Luxembourg in the 1920s, on the initiative of the Luxembourg steel entrepreneur Émile Mayrisch, André Gide and Konrad Adenauer, among others, met in his house in Luxembourg. Unfortunately, it took the catastrophe of the Second World War to make the idea of German-French reconciliation a reality.

Since the 1950s, Germany and France have been working hand in hand for European integration. Politics and economics are not the only factors playing an important role in the relationship. For over 50 years, cooperation at the civil society level has also been a special feature of the German-French partnership, contributing to a friendly attitude toward the neighboring country among our populations in both of our countries.

I am sure, Consul General, that you will refer to the treaty on Franco-German cooperation known as the Élysée Treaty of 1963, which was renewed and expanded during my time in Luxembourg, close by in Aachen, and that's why it's called the Treaty of Aachen. Well, in view of the major challenges facing Europe, facing France, facing Germany, facing all our countries, with Russia's war against Ukraine, with Israel's 12-day war against Iran, and the never-ending Middle East conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, we need a strong and sovereign Europe. And to achieve this, we need above all a joint French-German leadership. Thank you very much for your attention and enjoy the evening, but first enjoy the speech of my dear colleague. Thank you very much. [APPLAUSE]