Wooing Marianne
Europe's constitutional convention will test the renewed Franco-German friendship
“THE completion of Europe's political integration will depend decisively on France and Germany,” proclaimed Joschka Fischer, Germany's foreign minister, in a famous speech two years ago. Since then, the “Franco-German couple” have spent more time squabbling than building Europe. But Europe's federalists are now feeling a lot more cheerful. Their champion, Mr Fischer, has just taken his seat as Germany's representative at the European Union's constitutional convention. His first speech last week got a standing ovation. And the Franco-German couple are once again casting amorous glances at each other, after their long period of estrangement.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Wooing Marianne”
From the November 9th 2002 edition
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