ZAGREB ZAGREB, Jan 22 (Hina) - An agreement of friendship and co-operation between France and Germany signed in 1963, made it possible for Europe to become united, the French and German Ambassadors to Croatia, Francis Bellanger an
Gebhardt Weiss respectively, said on Wednesday in Zagreb's Mimara Museum during the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the agreement. Croatia's President Mesic agreed with their stand during his speech on this occasion.
ZAGREB, Jan 22 (Hina) - An agreement of friendship and co-operation
between France and Germany signed in 1963, made it possible for
Europe to become united, the French and German Ambassadors to
Croatia, Francis Bellanger an Gebhardt Weiss respectively, said on
Wednesday in Zagreb's Mimara Museum during the commemoration of the
40th anniversary of the agreement. Croatia's President Mesic
agreed with their stand during his speech on this occasion. #L#
The agreement, known as the Elysee Treaty was signed in Paris,
January 22, 1963 by the then French President, General Charles de
Gaulle and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.
Without the Elysee Treaty European integration processes would
have advanced much slower and with less success in their political
dimensions, Ambassador Weiss said pointing out that without that
agreement there would be neither European Union nor its expansion.
One of the key duties for European politics, the German ambassador
continued, is to consciously desire and create reconciliation and
to, once and for all, overcome stereotype images of the enemy.
The Elysee Treaty would not have been so successful if it had not
realised the deep aspirations of the German and French peoples,
Ambassador Bellanger said.
The privileged relationship between France and Germany was from the
very start imagined as an unavoidable stage on the path to uniting
Europe, the French diplomat said, pointing out that once arch
enemies became partners and friends that now overcome barriers
through dialogue and not conflict.
Countries in south-east Europe, the site of recent wars in our
continent, should search for inspiration in the initiative of
President de Gaulle and Chancellor Adenauer, the Croatian head of
state said.
"We cannot allow the past to imprison us and to permanently hold us
at bay, instead we should look to the future that will unite us all
in Europe," Mesic concluded.
The celebration in Mimara Museum was attended by representatives of
the Croatian government, the diplomatic corps and various
political, cultural and public figures.
(hina) sp ms sb