There are some French words that are so particular, so typically French, that they have no German equivalent. A few of them have simply been taken over. And there are a few others that I really wish we would adopt. Take that wonderful preposition “chez”. This little word, part of the name of countless restaurants and hotels in France – Chez Albert or Chez Marcel, for instance – means that one is both a guest in a person’s home and at the same time is with that person. “Chez” implies closeness, familiarity. And it denotes hospitality. And so I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all “chez nous”. Welcome to a place that bears witness in its very name to the centuries-old ties between our two countries: Schloss Bellevue. Napoleon was received here by Prince Ferdinand of Prussia in 1806. Given the state of relations at the time, however, I doubt that anyone would have talked of him being “chez Ferdinand”. This evening, though, you may be certain of being both guests of and with good friends. My wife and I are very much looking forward to it.
That this state visit, the first by a French President in 24 years, is taking place in this precise week is also in some measure a tribute to the close friendship between Germany and France. For four days now, a large festival has been taking place at the heart of Berlin to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our Basic Law and thus also the birthday of our republic. And it is lovely to have the opportunity now to celebrate it with friends who occupy a large space in the hearts of the people of our country. The fact that you are here today, Emmanuel, is not only a source of pleasure for us, but also shows that the Franco-German friendship is deeply anchored in both countries’ image of themselves.
France and Germany are linked by a shared history. Above all, however, we are together writing the future. Our two countries have always had a great interest in one another, and not only because of their geographical proximity. It is also a reflection of their mutual enjoyment of the work of great philosophers, poets, thinkers and celebrated artists – on both sides of the Rhine. Despite all the shadows cast and burdens imposed by our history, both sides have always been greatly enthusiastic about their neighbour. This enthusiasm was crucial for reconciliation between the Germans and the French following the deep wounds inflicted by two World Wars. The fact that we nurture such a profound friendship between our countries today is due above all to the outstretched hands of the people of France. In French, one might call it “retrouvailles”, a mutual rediscovery, the rediscovery of attraction and closeness where for too long rejection and distance had prevailed, the rediscovery of one another – even, indeed, the discovery of friendship. Reconciliation between France and Germany was – and remains – the prerequisite for a united Europe.
In his “Lettres à un ami allemand”, Albert Camus said that Europe was a shared adventure driven by a shared spirit, an adventure that would be continued. It was visionaries like him or like Victor Hugo who dreamt of a united, peaceful Europe. It was builders like Robert Schuman who laid the foundation stones for Europe. It is people who inspire, and who instil impetus, passionate Europeans like you, Emmanuel, who continue to pursue this shared adventure, despite all resistance from within and without, who demonstrate courage, and who plot the course for the tasks that still lie ahead of us. Emmanuel, you reiterated your vision for Europe a few weeks ago in your speech at the Sorbonne. And Europe – its strength, its sovereignty, its competitiveness – will be on our agenda over the next two days as well, as we discuss artificial intelligence and as we visit the Fraunhofer Institute in Dresden.
I do not think I am giving away any state secrets in saying, Emmanuel, that you were especially keen also to travel to the eastern part of our country during your state visit. You are the first French President to include one of the eastern Länder in an official visit. One reason for this, though not the only one, is the second anniversary we Germans are marking this year: the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution. Never did you view the resulting reunification of Germany, which would never have come to pass without France’s support, as a risk, but always as an opportunity and, even more than that, as a great gain. And so I am particularly looking forward to our day in Saxony tomorrow.
For almost three and a half decades now, we have been living in a truly united Europe. But today our Europe is no longer a peaceful one. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is an attack against everything on which our common Europe is built: the validity of law, the recognition of borders, freedom, democracy. Just as Europe cannot be taken for granted, neither can peace. Together we must once again learn to defend ourselves better against acts of aggression, and to make our societies more resilient against attacks from without, but also from within. Emmanuel, you advocated the idea of European sovereignty long before the Russian attack, driving it forward consistently with great far-sightedness and verve. You are a dyed-in-the-wool European, unwavering in your conviction that through our joint efforts we can achieve much more. Above all, however, you are a long-standing friend. I remember many meetings and conversations with you, even in the time when we both held other roles. Throughout all these years, we have always remained in touch on what was happening in our countries, what was the same, what was different. We have talked a lot about Europe and its future. Every one of our meetings has been characterised by trust and understanding. And so I am honoured to have the pleasure in Münster on Tuesday of presenting you with the International Award of the Peace of Westphalia for your untiring commitment to Europe.
Your visit, Emmanuel, is not only a sign of our close Franco-German friendship, but also – just a short while before the elections to the European Parliament – a signal to Europe. As our Europe is not something that can be taken for granted, French author Laurent Gaudé described his concerns about the continent’s shared future in his much-lauded, brilliant poem on Europe: [Europe] tried to invent an entity born of reason, / But in so doing, it forgot its lifeblood, / And saw the risk of becoming a great empty body.
Restoring Europe’s lifeblood takes more than just our spirit. It takes our hearts. It takes our combined energies, if we are to preserve this Europe, if we want to shape this Europe. It takes passion. Above all, it takes the passion of young people, a passion we saw for ourselves this afternoon when we visited the Celebration of Democracy – and not only at the Franco-German Youth Office’s stand. And, on 9 June, Europe also needs the voice of its citizens in the elections to the European Parliament.
The polling booths will immediately be replaced by the dressing rooms. I am sure that both the men’s EURO 2024 football championship in Germany and the Olympic Games in Paris will reach the hearts not only of excited sports fans. Germany, France, the whole of Europe, will come a little closer, and we can all look forward to a summer of sport the like of which we haven’t enjoyed together for a long time. All very much in keeping with Laurent Gaudé, who, at the end of his poem “Our Europe”, urges: Come, / Hurry up, / Uproar and utopia, / Bring everything with you. / Let Europe once again be the business of its people.
I know that football is a business very close to the hearts of the Germans, but also of the French. However, this year we have the home advantage. And so I am daring enough, Emmanuel – and of course this is my hope as a fan as well – to suggest that our team will be a more serious opponent this time than it has been in recent competitions.
I would like to end my speech as I began it, with a French word for which there is no direct translation: s’entendre. Literally, it means to listen to each other, but in a wider sense it also denotes the desire to reach agreement, to get along well with each other. Listening and understanding. To my mind, that’s a very good depiction of Franco-German relations.
Et voilà! Now I raise my glass in a toast to you, Emmanuel, to you, Brigitte, to our friendship and to the friendship between our two countries. Vive l’amitié franco-allemande!
