Jean Pierre Raffarin stated that the conference organized jointly with the Otto von Habsburg Foundation is a special occasion for him, because as a former Member of the European Parliament (1989-1995) he sat and worked in the same political group as Otto von Habsburg, whom he highly valued. He emphasized that he was deeply impressed by how the former Crown Prince and the recently deceased French President, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing discussed about European issues. Raffarin highlighted that by remembering them he also feels a particular responsibility, since important questions in today’s complex situation of Europe are being discussed. He stated that the issue of sovereignty has an extraordinary relevance while looking at the consequences of the increasing globalization and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the Hungarian speakers were former Foreign Minister János Martonyi, former Minister of Justice and former Member of the European Parliament László Trócsányi and historian journalist Bálint Ablonczy. From the French point of view besides former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin former ambassadors Pierre Coste and Serge Degallaix took part in the discussion.
In addition to the legal and economic aspects of the notion of “sovereignty”, the participants discussed details and approaches rooted in distinct French and Hungarian historical traditions. The differences in European concepts of ‘De Gaulle v. Monnet’ were also mentioned. The speakers agreed that the positions and attitudes are obviously different and that it is not easy, but not impossible, to interpret them in a complementary way. Special mention was made of Sino-European relations and the essential importance of culture in the development of a common European identity.
Ambassador Degallaix, Director General of the French Foundation Perspective et Innovation emphasized that the discussion is a part of a conversations’ series that will provide a basis to a forthcoming summary study.
