Capital Talk on Sunday — II: Masses’ support a must for political decisions

This is second and final part of the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’ on Sunday. French Ambassador Marc Barety and German Ambassador Martin Kobler expressed their views in the show on this rivalry and development and prosperity of Europe with the end of this enmity between both the countries with the signing of Élysée Treaty on January 22, 1963 between the then French president Charles de Gaulle and German chancellor Konard Adenauer. Hamid Mir asked German Ambassador Martin Kobler how the rivalry between the two countries was converted into friendship. The ambassador said that it was a very difficult process, which started with the end of the Second World War.

He said that European Union was, in fact, an economic union and the whole Europe wanted to get control of Italy and Germany. Germany was divided into two parts at that time and the Cold War was going on.

The European economic union was starting a political structure in the West, but the politicians of that time decided to bring peoples closer. He said that now whatever decisions were taken in political arenas would have no impact without the support of masses.

He said that celebrations in connection with the 55th anniversary of Élysée Treaty were under way when the heads of both countries signed a treaty in 1963 to bring the French and German people closer. It was such a great act which benefited all and after that the EU was able to function in a better way.

The German ambassador said that the Élysée Treaty was also important for education and youth. He said there were two points that Europe Union comprising six countries -- Italy, Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, Germany and France -- needed a centre, a principle and a driver to run it. He said that there was a need for reaching a decision which could lead Germany-French centre to become a chain of merger of European Union. And the second point, he said, is that the youth had to be made part of it for its success. Various institutions like German-French youth organisations increased the relations among people of both countries.

About establishing joint schools, the German ambassador said that he had brought with him joint historical books on Élysée Treaty. He said that these two books were quite same: one book is in French language, and the other is in German, which gives description starting from Congress of Vienna up to 1945, and it is taught in German schools. Hamid Mir said that both the books contained one tradition.

Martin Kobler said that tradition was one but the book was a translation. The anchorperson questioned whether both countries thought that Hitler was their joint enemy.

The German ambassador said that Hitler was not an enemy, but he played part in starting the Second World War.  

(Concluded