Speaking at a conference at Zagreb's Eurocampus international school on the occasion of today's signing of the treaty extension in Aachen, Klinke cited nationalism as one of the key challenges to Europe's future, noting that Franco-German friendship could be an example in addressing such problems.
Nationalism is the opposite of patriotism. The Elysee Treaty of 1963 marked post-war reconciliation, while the agreement we are signing today offers answers for the future, the German ambassador said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a new agreement on Tuesday to strengthen Franco-German relations and send a positive message to the European Union, weakened by growing nationalism.
The agreement on Franco-German cooperation and integration aims to complement the 1963 treaty signed by Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer.
The agreement calls for unity, coordination of the two countries' economic, foreign and defence policies, cooperation in cross-border regions and a joint parliamentary assembly of 100 French and German deputies.
The agreement is being signed at a time when both German and French leaders are weakened. Merkel is preparing to step down in the autumn of 2021, while Macron is facing the "yellow vests" crisis and a sharp decline in approval ratings.