The Otto von Habsburg Foundation
and the Institute for Strategic Studies of the University of Public Service
cordially invite you to a joint event entitled
The Élysée Treaty From a Sixty-Year Perspective
Date: 10 February 2023 (Friday), 9.30 a.m.
Venue: University of Public Service, Main Building, Széchenyi Ceremonial Hall (Budapest, Ludovika tér 2, 1083)
Registration: HERE
The Élysée Treaty, signed between the French Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany on January 22, 1963, established a new basis for relations between the two countries and paved the way for close bilateral cooperation that would become a driving force for European stability and integration. The Treaty was the peak of the Adenauer–de Gaulle era and remains a symbol of Franco–German reconciliation to this day.
At the time of its signing, Cold War tensions were rife. In this context, the Framework Agreement sought to lay the groundwork for peace in Europe and to establish the basic conditions for a prosperous cooperation between the two parties. As an advocate of the unification of the continent, Otto von Habsburg was quick to recognise the importance of the Franco-German alliance and supported the establishment of cooperation between both sides of the Rhine, as he saw that the close partnership between the two countries would be crucial to the creation of a united, effective, sovereign, and strong European Union and a decisive factor in tackling the challenges of the second half of the 20th century.
However, recent political, economic, and geopolitical tensions have reshaped many of the previously effective mechanisms. Hence, an assessment of the significance of the agreement concluded during the Cold War and of the experiences of the last decades in the context of the current global political situation as well as the reflections on the future of the European Union promise an interesting discussion with the participation of French, German, and Hungarian experts.
Programme
9.30-10.00 Registration
10.00-10.30 Opening addresses
Gergely Deli, Rector of the University of Public Service
Judit Varga, Minister of Justice of Hungary
Claire Legras, Ambassador of France in Budapest
Julia Gross, Ambassador of Germany in Budapest
10.30-11.15 Assessing the last sixty years of the Élysée Treaty
László Kiss J., Professor Emeritus at the Corvinus University of Budapest
Ferenc Gazdag, Professor Emeritus at the University of Public Service
Eric-André Martin, Institut français des relations internationales / Comité d’études des relations franco-allemandes
Moderated by Gergely Fejérdy, Deputy Director of the Otto von Habsburg Foundation
11.15-11.30 Discussion
11.30-11.45 Coffee break
11.45-12.30 The Élysée Treaty as a defining partnership for Europe
Heinrich Kreft, Chair holder at the Andrássy University Budapest, former Ambassador of Germany to Luxembourg
Patrick Hetzel, Member of the French National Assembly (LR)
László Trócsányi, Member of the European Parliament, Rector of the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, former Ambassador to Paris
Moderated by Gergely Prőhle, Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and the Otto von Habsburg Foundation, former Ambassador to Berlin
12.30-12.45 Discussion and closing remarks
13.00 Reception with the contribution of the Embassies of France and Germany
The conference will be held in Hungarian, English, French and German, simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Dear Inquirer!
Due to the capacity of the conference venue, we have closed registration.
Thank you for your understanding!
