Germany and France have finalized the Treaty of Aachen, a pact emphasizing increased cooperation on defense, foreign policy, and economy.
The Aachen Treaty, signed by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron in Aachen on January 22, 2019, marks a significant step forward in the relationship between Germany and France. This treaty will stand side by side with the Élysée Treaty of 1963, not replacing it, but building upon its foundation.
The central aim of the Treaty of Aachen is to secure a common future for the two nations. It intends to ensure that Germany and France are equipped for the future, focusing on the growth of border regions and addressing the disadvantages that come with their peripheral location.
The treaty places a strong emphasis on improving the daily lives of citizens in border regions. This includes cross-border job placement, infrastructure projects, and the establishment of cross-border services such as daycare centres, healthcare, and schooling. Local decision-makers in these regions will be given room to go beyond existing forms of cross-border cooperation.
The Aachen Treaty also seeks to pool strengths in areas such as digitalization, education, and technology. It aims to find solutions that can serve as models for European integration in border regions. Furthermore, it aims to strive for a strong, effective Europe, a peaceful world, and a rules-based order.
In foreign and security policy, the treaty aims to significantly intensify cooperation between Germany and France. As part of this, Germany and France have pledged to coordinate more closely than before in the United Nations.
A German-French Future Forum will be established as a dialogue platform to develop joint responses to new challenges or regulatory needs. This forum will provide a platform for discussions on various topics, helping to strengthen the bond between the two nations.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stated that the new German-French treaty looks to the future, emphasising that closer cooperation does not come at the expense of national sovereignty, but makes the states stronger together.
The Federal Cabinet approved the signing of the treaty between Germany and France on cooperation and integration on January 9, 2019. The Aachen Treaty will undoubtedly shape the relationship between Germany and France for years to come, and its impact on European integration will be closely watched.
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