Collaboration Between Germany and France

In a continued effort to strengthen their partnership, Germany and France are exploring new avenues to remove obstacles that hinder cross-border daily life. The Federal Foreign Office, in collaboration with relevant ministries, is examining the possibility of implementing adapted legal and administrative provisions, including exception clauses for "experimentation."

This collaborative spirit is not new. The Franco-German Defense and Security Council (DFVSR), established to exchange views on current security policy and strategic issues, has been in operation for some time. The close cooperation between the two nations is also evident in the dense network among younger generations, as seen in the thriving German-French young talent network, "Generation Europe."

The Élysée Treaty, signed on January 22, 1963, placed the reconciliation and bilateral cooperation of both countries on a contractual basis. Since then, the governments of both countries have met annually for bilateral government consultations, and the governments of regions and cities have also been actively engaged in this partnership.

The Treaty of Aachen, signed in 2019, further deepened the partnership and oriented it towards new challenges such as climate protection and digitization. As a result, the Franco-German Committee for Cross-Border Cooperation (AGZ) was established to identify and remove obstacles to cross-border cooperation.

One of the key initiatives under the Treaty of Aachen is the implementation of a border impact assessment. A study on the possible implementation of this assessment in the German-French relationship was commissioned by the Federal Foreign Office and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2022. The study, authored by the Euro-Institute in Kehl, the University of Maastricht, and the French Agency for Cross-Border Cooperation (Mission opérationnelle transfrontalière), is available in both German and French.

Experts from France and Germany are now discussing concrete steps for implementing the border impact assessment project. Future themes, such as the cross-border test field for automated driving in the Saarland/Metz area or the trilateral scientific network "European Campus - EUCOR," are also in focus.

The close cooperation between Germany and France is not limited to governmental levels. It is evident in various areas and levels, including schools and universities. For instance, cross-border cooperation can be seen in the joint management and care of the Rhine, cross-border access to healthcare, and the first cross-border tram line between Kehl and Strasbourg.

The Franco-German Citizens' Fund, established in April 2020, has supported over 2,000 projects for an active European civil society. The Franco-German Future Workshop also works with local and regional actors to develop policy recommendations, such as for the socio-ecological transformation or the municipal energy transition.

The security policy cooperation between Germany and France has intensified since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. This cooperation is a testament to the strong alliance between the two nations and their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Europe.

The first cohort of "Generation Europe" presented their policy recommendations in January 2024, and the second cohort began its work. This initiative, launched by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Emmanuel Macron at the DFMR 2023, is a testament to the continued focus on cultivating the German-French cooperation among younger generations.

In conclusion, the partnership between Germany and France remains strong and active, with both nations collaborating closely on various fronts to enhance cross-border life, security, and cooperation.