By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Describing it as historical, unique and intense, German Ambassador Angelika Storz-Chakarji said history has proven that the signing of the Elysée Treaty 50 years ago was the right decision to take.
Storz-Chakarji said the French and German co-operation “is quite unique, really unique worldwide.” “It is very intense and also led to the creation of the European Union and has laid the foundation for the last 70 years of prosperity in Europe.”
The German ambassador, together with French ambassador Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, was speaking to journalists yesterday during the press briefing at the Lycee Bonaparte in Doha.
She said the signing of the treaty gives an example that historical differences could be overcome by having courageous and visionary leaders who set the framework of co-operation between peoples.
In forging co-operation and friendship, Storz-Chakarji stressed that it also needs the engagement of the whole society for the success of such agreement.
“I think France and Germany really give an example how such a decision was accepted like for example the cities reach out to each other and universities reach out to each other and schools reach out to each other and also individuals,” she said.
The German ambassador has expressed confidence that both governments are constantly working on reinforcing this co-operation.
Despite being competitors in some aspects like in business, she said they still work together and share common interests. “Worldwide, we always join forces whenever we can, and bilaterally, I think the network is already so intense but of course it can always be improved.”
She cited figures where more than 300 French-Germans associations have already been formed. There are also 2,200 partnerships between French and German cities.
Peaucelle announced that celebrations are also taking place in different parts of the world.
He mentioned that France and Germany in the past were enemies and fought each other at the time of the 18th century. These included the French-German war in 1817, and the First World War in 1914-1918, and then the Second World War in 1939-1945.
“French president General Charles de Gaulle and German Federal chancellor Konrad Adenauer removed radically this past of war and hostility to a future not only of peace but of co-operation and friendship to the extent which has no other example in the world,” he said.
Aside from recounting the tragedies and wars, Peaucelle also urged people to look at the peace initiatives “which are full of promise for the future of our nations.” He said that both French and Germans have good relations with Qatar.