Events

Joachim Bitterlich and Jean-Dominique Giuliani organised the 7th Franco-German forum on the future of Europe with the Club Rhénan. The meeting brought together a great number of political leaders, diplomats, representatives from the business world and eminent researchers who looked into European issues. Speakers debated the means we should use to bring the EU out of the crisis and the foundations of a common Franco-German defence policy.

The first working session focused on the crisis, assessing the political measures taken by the EU to counter this situation. According to the majority of speakers the EU has shown that it has responded to one of the biggest challenges in its history. However some said they support more global solutions to bring Europe sustainably out of the crisis.

In terms of Franco-German defence, speakers delivered a mitigated view. They insisted on the need to develop of a joint vision of threats and the role to be played by an army to counter these. This joint strategic analysis is considered to be the foundation for the development of a real common defence system.