60 Years of the Elysée Treaty: HRK and France Universités reaffirm their commitment to Franco-German cooperation

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Elysée Treaty, the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) and France Universités reaffirm their commitment to Franco-German cooperation and their shared commitment to the values of Europe. The long-standing cooperation between German and French universities and the close exchange between the Rectors’ Conferences has often provided important inputs in the European Higher Education and Research Area. In regular meetings, the two Rectors’ Conferences exchange views on current developments and develop joint positions. HRK President Peter-André Alt: “In the future, we will continue to be able to overcome urgent social and political challenges in Europe and the world only together with our French partners. We look back with gratitude on 60 years of Franco-German friendship.”

To Guillaume Gellé, President of France Universités, “Promoting knowledge for the benefit of all, especially our youth, is part of our common commitment and nourishes democratic values”.

As Peter-André Alt, President of the HRK, reminds us: “In the future, too, we will only be able to meet the urgent social and political challenges in Europe and the world together with our French partners. We look back with gratitude on 60 years of Franco-German friendship.

On 22 January 1963, Federal Chancellor Dr Konrad Adenauer and French President Charles de Gaulle signed the Elysée Treaty. The treaty sealed the partnership and cooperation between the two countries and thus went down in history as a milestone in Franco-German relations.