Is the Franco-German Relationship Still the Foundation Stone of the EU?

Authors

  • Abigail Leblanc

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30722/anzjes.vol11.iss2.15122

Keywords:

EU, France, Germany, integration

Abstract

Since the signing of the European Coal and Steel Treaties, France and Germany have been linked as unlikely friends in Europe. This paper discusses the Franco-German relationship post WWII, defining the characteristics of a partnership that has defined the history of the European Union and has served as a foundation for peace and cooperation on a continent that has struggled to shake off constant war. This paper then analyzes the hypothesis that the Franco-German relationship is no longer the foundation stone of the European Union in two sections. First, this paper applies these characteristics of deepening integration, increased economic interaction and mutually beneficial cooperation to the present day EU and seeing whether they are still integral to interactions among member states. It then establishes the present day characteristics of the EU as ones of increased national sovereignty, as opposed to Franco-German methods of cooperation.

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Published

2021-02-05

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2019)

Section

Articles

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