The crisis of 2008 first exacerbated tensions

Paris has big ambitions for his duo with the Germany. It was the main message sent by Pierre Lellouche, the Secretary of State for European Affairs, during his visit to Berlin, last Monday. "After the phase of reconciliation which is extended from 1945 to 1989, then the phase postréunification, during which each of the two countries has tried to find its place in the new geopolitical order and closes with the stabilization of the European institutional system, the crisis to open a third." "In which the main issue is that of the place of Europe in the world," he said. But "when there is political will which is based on the Franco-German, then Europe can influence major decisions."

Parasitic records

The France launched a reflection on the interdepartmental level as early as before the summer, to consider possible cooperation with the new German Government. Preferred tracks touch the areas technology, energy, immigration and common security, as well as to the methods of work. Pierre Lellouche did not wish to comment on noise that Paris would consider an exchange of Ministers between the two Governments. The German side, the spirits are preoccupied with the electoral battle. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reflects to new impulses on the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty of the Elysee Palace, which will be however celebrated only in 2013.

Franco-German initiatives would be welcome to repair a link somewhat battered over the past years. President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel had difficult beginnings. A question of style, personality. Some files also came to parasitize bilateral meetings: one remembers that the Chancery has very few tasted the initial project of the Union for the Mediterranean. Paris and Berlin also long opposed on the European directive on emissions of CO from cars, a vital subject for German industry. The crisis of 2008 first exacerbated tensions. Refusal of Berlin set up a European Fund of rescue of the banks was seen in Paris as a hesitant withdrawal. The first German economic package disappointed by his modesty in the hexagon and nurtured the idea that the Germany sought to take advantage of the short-term plans of key partners without putting itself hand in the Pocket.

"Lack of confidence"

The two capitals are then reconciled. "The French Presidency of the Union, in the second half of 2008, has played an important role, said Claire Demesmay, specialist of the Franco-German in the German society for foreign policy (DGAP). Nicolas Sarkozy then understood that the France could not act alone and became aware of the role of the Germany to advance the European records. "In 2009, the two countries multiplied consultations, above the Summit European and international crisis management. They share a certain "continental" vision on governance issues.

The Franco-German barometer is however not display "beautiful fixed." Claire Demesmay evokes "a lack of mutual trust", with "a relationship of competition which did not exist as such there are twenty years".Thomas Klau, the European Council of foreign relations (ECFR), observed on the other hand on the German side "a lack of sustained and substantial commitment to a deep understanding of French leaders".Can also expect new friction, when arise the issue of the out of the crisis and the progressive dismantling of the instruments of public support to the economy, put in place for a year. Lack of coordination, first to reflux public interventionism peacemaking their business to their competitors.