From Deutsche Welle:  President Francois Hollande and Chancellor Angela Merkel have launched a full day of activities marking 50 years since the signing of the Elysee Treaty. The 1963 accord cemented peace between Europe’s old adversaries.

French President Hollande received Chancellor Merkel at France’s Berlin embassy on Tuesday morning, officially beginning Tuesday’s celebrations.

Subsequently, the pair met with French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and German President Joachim Gauck at his Schloss Bellevue palace in the capital.

On January 22, 1963, Germany and France signed the Elysee Treaty – the cornerstone of modern peace between the two countries after three wars in less than a century. Post-war leaders Konrad Adenauer of Germany and Charles de Gaulle of France signed that original document.

A joint Franco-German cabinet meeting, followed by a simultaneous meeting of the parliaments in Paris and Berlin with keynote speeches from Hollande and Merkel, were billed as the highlights of Tuesday’s agenda.

The two houses of parliament were expected to agree on further measures of cooperation; several partnership agreements and commitments for regular political summits are among the existing terms of the Elysee Treaty.   (photo: Reuters)

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