As friends, Germany and France need to lead Europe
Event Reports
The Franco-German friendship is existential in the eyes of the former French president. "It is our common sacred treasure and because it is so fragile, we must always protect it by strengthening the rampart around it.” Sarkozy: "There is no alternative for Europe. Germany and France have to be friends." In times where Europe is no longer blindly supported by its citizens it is important to talk more about what Europe stands for. "We need to find a way, that we continue to integrate. We must ensure, that we not only form an economic area. The Euro has become a corner stone of the European Union and if the Euro is to disappear, the European Union will as well and with that, peace, stability and the social market economy will vanish." the 59-year-old former premier pointed out.
For that very reason he expressed the importance of the cooperation between Chancellor Angela Merkel and him in the early years of the economic crisis. "For five years, in close collaboration with Merkel we've done everything to save the Euro from a storm that threatened to damage everything." The former president, who met Angela Merkel later that day, further explained, that both countries should not have to fear playing a more active role in Europe. "It is their duty to act as a leader", Sarkozy said, "if our friendship is to be ruined, Europe will fall apart."
It used to be different in history
Having said that Europe can't afford to make the same mistakes as it did when it was in war for several times, Sarkozy expressed the need to focus on the essentials of Europe so that Europe can act there, where otherwise no one else can act. "Europe may not lose more time, energy and credibility," as the French politician said in terms of topics that weren't thought of, by Europe's founding fathers to be their main duties. "We must not drive our citizens and companies to despair with incomprehensible regulations." Europe needs to ensure that it has a fair and safe market for entrepreneurs. Therefore, he suggested as "convinced European", Europe needs to focus on seven or eight policies, such as industry, energy, competition and agriculture. "If we're strong, and the European Union is strong, we can afford not having to control everything at the same time."
At the end of his speech Sarkozy pointed out one more time, that Europe needs to assure peace, democracy and the rule of law. "That will give both our countries prosperity. It is also important for the world's future." In a world, where the various challenges of society seem to be approached by either confrontation or cooperation, Europe should choose the latter. "Then Europe can and should suggest countries as Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, a new framework of how to work together", Sarkozy said, by explaining that the century we now live in, is a "century of dependence."
Court's decision endangers Europe's values
At the end of the event, former president of the European Parliament and chairman of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Hans-Gert Pöttering thanked the French president for coming to Berlin today, feeling honoured knowing that "he can not always manage to be here." He as well emphasized the importance of making Europe's citizens aware of Europe's norms and values. "Every European needs to understand that 'home', 'homeland' and 'Europe' belong together." Pöttering ended with a few words towards the Federal Constitutional Court after the Court earlier this week tilted the German three-percent threshold for the European elections, by saying that "national parliaments and the European parliament together form European democracy. And even though the Federal Constitutional Court rightly protects national parliamentarism, Europe's parliamentarism and democracy is just as worthy of protection. In his welcoming speech, the President of the Bundestag, Norbert Lammert also criticized the Court's decision, saying that the verdict carries “constitutional Euroscepticism in its core” and that at this time in the history of the European Parliament this was "not helpful."
About this series
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, its educational institutions, centres and foreign offices, offer several thousand events on various subjects each year. We provide up to date and exclusive reports on selected conferences, events and symposia at www.kas.de. In addition to a summary of the contents, you can also find additional material such as pictures, speeches, videos or audio clips.