https://hvg.hu/vilag/20260121_europa-valodi-szuverenitasa-az-egyuttmukodesben-rejlik-egyutt-erosebbek-vagyunk 

Today, Germany and France are celebrating the anniversary of the Elysée Treaty. You might wonder why this bilateral treaty should be of interest in Hungary – it marked a historic turning point and serves as a blueprint for European integration today. The treaty taught us an important European lesson, that applies to all our EU partners: European states reach a strong sovereignty through cooperation. European cooperation is not the opposite of national sovereignty, it is its precondition: Alone, we are vulnerable. Together, we are stronger.

So, what is this important treaty and what does it actually mean today? If you have never heard about it, let us try to explain why this is more than a footnote to European history:  

On January 22^nd 1963, President Charles de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed the Treaty of Friendship (later: “Elysée”) and thereby committed the two countries to an unprecedented level of cooperation. 

Against the background of Germany’s and France’s centuries old history of rivalry and war, which culminated in the horrors of Nazi-Germany’s World War II, this Treaty opened a radically new chapter. 

The Treaty served as a stimulus for cooperation from bilingual schools to the creation of a joint German-French military brigade and also to a deeper integration of the European Project – which eventually became the European Union. 

Historians will be quick to remind us: Chancellor Adenauer and President de Gaulle had different visions of what an integrated Europe could look like. 

True. But the two of them shared the fundamental and existential belief that war must never return to Europe, and that Europe when in peace has a lot to offer to the world. 

As Adenauer put it: “We have to act. Others are acting too. Otherwise, a development we Europeans cannot shape will simply overwhelm us.” 

By signing the Treaty, the two former enemies also testified to the shared conviction that pragmatic cooperation between countries fosters peace and understanding – the formula which has turned the European Union into a unique success story. It is important to note, that the Élysée Treaty did not emerge from harmony, but from the decision to cooperate despite deep differences. Even today, there are differences of opinion between our countries, such as regarding the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. But even today, the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and understanding continues to prevail. Back then and today it remains true: We need institutionalized dialogue – not chaotic disputes over media. We need respect of diverse historical experience. Europe needs more spaces for dialogue – not fewer.

Following Hungary’s democratic transition, this Franco-German spirit also resonated in Budapest. One of Prime Minister József Antall’s first official trips after taking office led him to Berlin and Paris, signalling Hungary’s determination to anchor itself in the Europe of cooperation, shared sovereignty, and democratic values.

In 2019, the Treaty was thoroughly updated. The “Aachen Treaty” spells out that the German-French friendship reaches its historical telos as one of the key motors of European integration, peace and prosperity on our continent. Germany and France see a common responsibility for Europe in a rapidly changing world. But make no mistake: The cooperation between France and Germany is not a one-on-one relationship. We see as a shared responsibility to contribute to efficient EU decision making and to spare our European partners the consequences of potential disagreements. In this sense, it is anything but exclusive. 

President Putin’s brutal war of aggression against the sovereign State of Ukraine serves as a brutal reminder that peace in Europe must not be taken for granted. 

Putin is waging war not only against the citizens of Ukraine, but he and his ideologists have made plain time and again that they are fighting against the European way of life.

The very fact that there are states with a firm rule of law and democratic mechanisms for the protection of political minorities or the changing of political majorities are a provocation for his camp. 

Both Germany and France have redoubled their efforts to strengthen our own defence capabilities and to help Ukraine in its fight for its survival as a sovereign State, in order to reach a just and lasting peace.

To be blunt: There is only one party here not interested in a ceasefire or serious negotiations, and that is Russia. 

France, Germany, European partners and the US are currently leading intensive discussions to frame a settlement in Ukraine based on a sustainable and monitored ceasefire, strengthening Ukrainian defence capabilities, providing security guarantees and granting economic support.

We also take note of the fact that the alleged “decay” of European civilization is described as a threat in the new US Security Doctrine. 

We respectfully ask to know what this means. After all, if we consult almost any index on prosperity, such as the Prosperity Institute’s Index, it is clear that European countries are world leaders when it comes to governance, security and the well-being of their citizens – despite the existing challenges also in our societies.

Thus, we do not share the sense of gloom. But we are not naïve: Many in the world see our freedom as a threat – because their own population might ask for the same freedom. In order to defend our way of life, we have to carry out serious reforms, on the national and the European level. For all of us it should be clear: Europe is a daily political choice – not a historical given. The Élysée Treaty built the basis of our freedom, our common wealth and our sovereignty in Europe. It is up to all of us – not only Germany and France – to keep the spirit of cooperation and dialogue as embodied in the Elysée-Treaty alive, even with differing views and in challenging times.