69 years ago, my father came back to France after 3 years as a prisoner of war, thanks to la Relève (1 PoW released for 3 qualified workers who accepted to go to Germany). He immediatly joined the French Résistance and fought the German army in the Alps. A few months later, my uncle was arrested by the Gestapo (he was secretary of the National Council of the Resistance) and sent to Dachau concentration camp.

Just a couple of years later, in spite of - and because of - what they had experienced, both of them were involved in the Frenco-German friendship movement that led to what we celebrate today. Indeed, in 1963 my uncle was the French Parliament reporter for the Elysée Treaty. And both of them remained strong supporters of the European Project until the end of their lives.

So, despite Merkozy and Merkollande, I still think it makes sense to celebrate the Franco-German friendship, and to wish it will last for many more decades.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet