For Stephan Steinlein, the German ambassador to France, “there is no alternative to the Franco-German base in Europe”

Stephan Steinlein, l’ambassadeur d’Allemagne en France, présent ce jeudi à Millau. – Andreas B. Krueger

Stephan Steinlein, German ambassador to France since the summer of 2023, will participate in the opening ceremony of the Franco-German Fortnight in Occitanie, this Thursday March 21 in Millau.

In the current geo-political context, is the Franco-German relationship proving more vital than ever??

Absolutely. We are currently experiencing a turning point in the international order, the stakes of which go well beyond the war in Ukraine. It is not for nothing that we speak in Germany of a “change of times”, which is far from being limited to investments in the field of defense.

France and Germany, as the largest EU member states and because of their extremely close cooperation, have a special responsibility: we must ensure that that our democracies remain resilient. We must ensure that we can defend our values ​​and our freedom against attacks from those who displease our open societies.

This is not an easy task, and there is sometimes friction, but our two countries share the same analysis and are aware that this is vital for Europe .

Because the couple they form remains, despite everything, the basis of the EU ?

I am convinced that there is no alternative to the Franco-German base in Europe. This foundation goes well beyond political agreement at the government level. It is also the result of a close interweaving of our populations and our economies. This conviction is also shared not only by the governments of Paris and Berlin, but also by the other EU member states. Without a Franco-German agreement, nothing will work.

The permanent desire to reach compromises – even though our two countries have very different political cultures – is essential to move the EU forward.

The fact that such ongoing exchanges sometimes see differences appear is a sign that our partnership is based on such solid foundations that we can openly address all subjects, even if this is not always to everyone's liking. other.

What links between the two countries could be further strengthened ? In terms of cultural exchanges, or language learning  ?

Because cooperation at the scale of civil society constitutes for me the cement of our friendship, the question of language is decisive. We cannot be satisfied knowing that German is now only the third foreign language chosen in France, far behind Spanish. We want to fight against this phenomenon.

I am delighted that the French government is fully aware of this problem and is committed to remedying it.

The Franco-German Fortnight in Occitanie begins this Thursday. What will be your involvement in this event ?

Events like the Franco-German Fortnight in Occitanie are very important to me. Agreements between States, diplomatic relations, common political orientations are one thing, but what really keeps Franco-German relations alive is the commitment of the citizens of our two countries. It is at this level that true mutual understanding is born, solid bonds and often authentic friendship are forged.

From Millau to Sommières, 150 events

After an opening this Thursday &at; Millau, à at the Maison de la Région, the Fortnight will close on April 4 at Sommières.

And between these two dates, around 150 events will be organized throughout the territory. Without concern for completeness, we will mention here, in particular, those put in place at the IUT of Nîmes which displays the colors of Germany throughout the duration of the Fortnight, the operations "Bas les Murs& ;nbsp;!" à see almost everywhere in the region, poetry & the honor of the House of Heidelberg à Montpellier ("When poets translate poets") this March 23, film screenings throughout the territory, proposals for discovering the German language, & Perpignan or à Thuir, or even a conference on urban sustainable development in France and Germany at the House of International Relations in Montpellier on April 2.

Without forgetting the meeting between the German ambassador to France and the students of the Faculty of Medicine. of Montpellier law this Friday, March 22 & 10am.

Each initiative, whether modest or on a larger scale, contributes to this. This is why I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have devoted time and energy, sometimes for months, to the preparation of this Fortnight. The proposed program is very varied and attractive.

I am delighted at the prospect of speaking at the opening ceremony and having the opportunity to get to know this magnificent region better in my capacity as Ambassador to the World Heritage Site. Germany in France which I have occupied since last year.

How do you personally view France ?

My link with France is above all personal and emotional. My wife is in fact French and my children have dual German and French nationality. France is my second home, the place where I live for the second time in my life as ambassador of a German state.

But France is also a particularly exciting position from a professional point of view. Its culture of lively debate, its love for literature and culture, the emotional history that links our two countries, all of this makes France a very special place for me.

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