THE FOREIGN SECRETARY SPEAKS AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELYSÉE TREATY

Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade spoke at today's ceremony to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, which was signed on January 22, 1963 by French President Charles de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

The treaty established a new basis for the relationship between the two countries, so often affected by wars throughout their history. Over time, the treaty became the foundation for a high level of bilateral cooperation in the areas of politics, economics, culture and society. The reconciliation and friendship between France and Germany has been decisive for European integration. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union in 2012 honored this contribution.

STENOGRAPHIC VERSION OF THE FOREIGN SECRETARY’S SPEECH AT THE COMMEMORATION IN MEXICO OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE ÉLYSÉE TREATY

Foreign Secretary Jose Antonio Meade:

Good afternoon, Your excellency Elisabeth Beton, Ambassador of France;

Your Excellency, Edmund Duckwitz, Ambassador of Germany;

Ladies and gentlemen, members of the diplomatic corps in Mexico;

Friends:

Good afternoon, and thank you for inviting me to participate in this celebration of Franco-German friendship and cooperation. A better place could not have been chosen: we are surrounded by five libraries that belonged to extraordinary Mexicans: Jose Luis Martinez, Antonio Castro Leal, Jaime Garcia Terres, Ali Chumacero and Carlos Monsivais. Of these five, three are well-known and appreciated for their long involvement in Mexican diplomacy. Two Ambassadors of Mexico in Greece and one that was a cultural representative of Mexico in seven different countries. Clearly, the tradition of friendship is also reflected in these books. Therefore, the fact that we are gathered here gives the event additional importance.

The Elysee Treaty signed 50 years ago by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and President Charles de Gaulle marked a friendship that would influence the course of history in Europe and the world.

The path of friendship, cooperation and institution-building that began then ushered in a new era of peace, cooperation and integration in Europe. It was the seed from which sprang the European Union. Fifty years ago, Germany and France laid the cornerstone of a solid building: European integration.
 Chancellor Adenauer said then that the most important thing is to never lose faith in one’s friends. Today is a good moment to remember this as we commemorate the friendship and trust between two great societies.

I want to stress that Mexico recognizes the EU as crucial to peace and international stability, and as a serious, responsible and reliable actor on the world stage. The Nobel Peace Prize that it recently received recognizes and encourages its work in promoting values and unity while engaged in the always complex task of building a shared future.

Today, while facing new economic challenges, the European Union and its Member States continue to show us how powerful joint political will really is. While facing a severe crisis, these nations have been an example of imagination, strength and confidence in the soundness of their unity.  When this crisis passes, there will be more Europe, not less. Every day, new institutions are built there, new agreements are reached and we are given new confidence in the fact that the strength of the union will be redoubled once these complex events are left behind.

A key element of the agreement signed half a century ago was the creation of a permanent summit mechanism whereby representatives of all levels meet regularly for discussion and to reach agreements. In these times in which we live, we must remember this central lesson of the European Union: the parties must have the political will needed to bring projects to fruition.

Dear friends, President Peña Nieto has insisted that as part of the five pillars that guide the work of his administration, it is crucial to strengthen Mexico's relationship with the European Union and its member countries. This leads to the need for closer ties, first with allies such as France and Germany, with whom we share values, interests and ideals, as well as mutually beneficial relationships. We will seek to create closer ties, of course, with all our European Union allies.

As you know, with regard to the whole of Europe, we have had a fruitful relationship that began with the signing of the first framework cooperation agreement in 1975. This was followed by other initiatives including the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement and finally the Strategic Partnership. More than 10 years after establishing the global agreement, trade and investment have increased to the point that today the European Union is the second largest foreign investor in Mexico, our third largest trading partner and second largest destination for Mexican imports. Each year, we export 19 billion dollars in products and services to the European Union.

While the strategic partnership with the EU has allowed Mexico to participate in a more active dialogue with the community’s institutions and with each one of the 27 Member States, it is clear that we have much more to do. I am sure that the bilateral and multilateral areas of agreement between Mexico and the European Union can be used to good effect in third countries and regions in which both sides have common interests. Strengthening triangular cooperation programs will be one of the main tasks of the Mexican Agency for International Development, the AMEXCID.

As you know, President Enrique Peña Nieto will travel this weekend to Santiago, Chile, to participate in the first summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, CELAC, and the European Union. He will talk with the European leaders, including the German Chancellor and the Prime Minister of France, as well as the Presidents of the European Commission and Council, with a view to promoting new cooperation mechanisms.

The environment, transportation, scientific and technical developments, are some of the areas in which Mexico and Europe may find new areas of cooperation that give impetus to Mexico’s development and contribute to modernizing the economies of both.

I have no doubt that greater collaboration will mean more and increasing mutual benefits.

Dear friends, on behalf of Mexico and here with his family, I thank you for establishing the "Gilberto Bosques" Franco-German Award for Human Rights. We are honored that you have recognized the outstanding work done by this Mexican diplomat in very adverse circumstances.

I am sure the winners of this award will be stellar examples of commitment and dedication to a cause that transcends national interests and is committed to the defense and creation of universal values.

On behalf of Mexico, I hope that the Franco-German ties, affirmed 50 years ago, continue to be the basis of Fortress Europe, a friendship that overcame what seemed to be irreconcilable differences, was able to unite forces and capabilities for the welfare of their societies and has illuminated the path of the international nations for over a century.

May this light always remain bright.

Thank you.