On a more practical level the increased level of cooperation between West-Germany and France were driven by DeGaulles desire to built a power-bloc independently of the US, while Adenauer sought a fast integration into the western structures to receive full rights for the still occupied West German state as well as protection against the soviet threat. While the issue of depency on the USA remained a sore spot at least for as long as DeGaulle remained in office (e.g. the German parliament included a pro-NATO preamble into the Elysee accords which caused considerable consternation with the French government). However their shared interest in increased cooperation still existed and was also driven by stronge support in the respective civil society, as it was seen as the best solution to prevent further bloodshed between the two nations.