France and Germany unveil plans for dual citizenship

[DEAD ZONE]

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/01/22/weu22.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/01/22/ixnewstop.html/news/2003/01/22/weu22.xml

By Kate Connolly in Berlin
(Filed: 22/01/2003)


If evidence were still needed that the revitalised Franco-German motor is roaring along once again it emerged yesterday when a proposal for dual citizenship between the two powers was unveiled.
The revolutionary initiative - part of a programme to intensify bilateral relations - would allow German and French citizens resident in each other's countries to hold the passports of both lands.

[Phreakmeister]

The Verdun Treaty (843 AD) has now been nullified...


Euro-allies mark 40 years of friendship

France and Germany have begun celebrating 40 years of formal post-war reconciliation by staging a series of gala events and unveiling major joint political initiatives. Two days of celebrations were launched in Paris on Wednesday by French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. The events mark the 1963 Elysee Treaty, signed by France's Charles de Gaulle and Germany's Konrad Adenauer to cement the two countries' post-war ties. In Wednesday's celebrations, the two countries' cabinets will come together for a joint meeting, before a historic joint session of the two countries' parliaments at Versailles, outside Paris, later in the day. More than 1,000 MPs - 577 from France and 603 from Germany - will take part in a series of banquets and top level meetings. Mr Chirac and Mr Schroeder used the occasion to pledge further co-operation with each other at the heart of Europe, declaring the significance of the two countries' relationship.

"It truly is a shared destiny which has developed over the years and which has turned out to be very necessary within the framework of European construction," Mr Chirac told a joint news conference at the Elysee Palace. "The German-French shared destiny must be a driving force at the service of Europe. " They also declared their unity on the importance of avoiding war in Iraq. "Germany and France have the same judgment on this crisis," Mr Chirac said. Mr Schroeder, who last night announced that that Germany would not vote on the UN Security Council for military action, confirmed that the two leaders were of one mind. "We agree completely to harmonise our positions as closely as possible to find a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis," Mr Schroeder said. BBC News Online's Angus Roxburgh in Brussels says the potential import of the initiatives to be announced is enormous, not just for France and Germany, but for the whole of the European Union.

On the face of it, he says, it is nothing less than an attempt to establish a new core at the heart of European politics - something which may well worry other members of the EU, particularly Britain.

Radical moves

The overhaul of the Franco-German ties comes against a background of recent dispute on several key policies, including the future shape of the European Union itself. But last week, Paris and Berlin appeared to have solved their differences after reaching a compromise proposal to reform the EU by giving it a dual presidency. "When Berlin and Paris come to agreement, Europe can move ahead. If there is divergence, Europe treads water," Mr Chirac said. The two leaders are expected to unveil a series of radical initiatives on Wednesday.

According to officials, these are likely to include:

- Regular joint cabinet meetings
- Aiming to present the same policies on international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council
- Promoting plans for the EU to adopt a common security and defence policy
- Moving towards identical French and German laws on key subjects like family and civil law
- Appointing a top official in each country in charge of boosting co-operation between Paris and Berlin.
- Commitment to the goal of dual nationality for French and German citizens.

Dark pages

Versailles is a highly symbolic venue for the occasion, as the palace has been the scene of some of the less glorious episodes in Franco-German relations. It was the place of French humiliation after the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-1871, when Germany proclaimed itself an empire. The palace also witnessed French revenge after World War I in 1919, when Germany was forced to sign the punitive Versailles treaty. But on Wednesday, the two countries will be toasting the anniversary of the treaty with red wine provided by France and white by Germany.

Source: BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2681923.stm)

[weldordave]

History dictates that one will stab the other in the back.

[w1che]

Well I agree with Dave in a way but then again I think this weak willed idiot that is running Germany now has sold out to France.

France wants to be a major leader in the EU so they can carry on the hate America B/S with some backing..:cool

[Phreakmeister]

I disagree with you on one point, w1. I don't think Chirac's policy is inspired by hate. I think it's inspired by a sense of pride. Chirac wants France to be a major player in world politics, just like it was in the past. He can't adapt to the new position of France. I think it's more a kind of jealousy than hatred.

[DEAD ZONE]

Originally posted by Phreakmeister
I disagree with you on one point, w1. I don't think Chirac's policy is inspired by hate. I think it's inspired by a sense of pride. Chirac wants France to be a major player in world politics, just like it was in the past. He can't adapt to the new position of France. I think it's more a kind of jealousy than hatred.

jealousy always breeds hatred.