Germany, France mark 50 years of reconciliation accord with Cabinet, Parliament gatherings

Hollande Merkel

BERLIN – Germany and France are marking 50 years of an accord that enshrined the two former adversaries’ post-World War II reconciliation with a joint Cabinet meeting and a joint session of the countries’ parliaments.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Francois Hollande are leading Tuesday’s ceremonies at the chancellery and the Reichstag Parliament building.

The 1963 Elysee Treaty marked a milestone for two countries that had fought three wars in 70 years. Since then, they’ve co-operated closely on economic and cultural issues.

Germany and France have driven closer European political integration but have been sparring recently over how to resolve the continent’s debt crisis.

Germany is also making only a small contribution so far to France’s intervention to drive back Islamist extremists in Mali.