By Maureen Okon
Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Günther, on Wednesday said hostility between countries undermines development, urging nations to emulate the reconciliation between Germany and France.
Mrs Günther spoke at an event in Abuja marking German-French Day, commemorating the Élysée Treaty signed on Jan. 22, 1963, which transformed long-standing rivalry into a lasting partnership.
“The treaty began with youth exchange programmes and grew into regular political consultations at the state level,” she said.
“It is a miracle of history that two arch‑enemies could reconcile their differences, forget the past and build a peaceful, prosperous future for their peoples.”
Günther said the Franco‑German partnership – rooted in cultural exchange and later formalised through regular consultations between foreign ministers and joint cabinet meetings – became a driving force for European integration.
“To be enemies and wage war will not get us anywhere; it is destructive for people and countries. Friendship is far more beneficial – for your country, your region and the world,” she added.
Also speaking, French Ambassador, Mr Marc Fonbaustier, described the treaty as a transformative process that turned hostility into strong alliance.
He recalled how early youth exchanges deepened ties and how political will evolved into state policy and robust institutional cooperation.
“The relationship evolved from cultural and technical ties to structured mechanisms: parliamentary committees, biannual cabinet meetings and coordinated positions at European Council meetings,” Fonbaustier said.
“After World War II, the partnership was sealed by the 1963 treaty between Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle.”
The event highlighted the role of people‑to‑people exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations and offered the Franco‑German reconciliation as a model for resolving international disputes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
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