German-French Strategic Dialogue
Germany and France are closely intertwined in their shared history and also at present in politics and economics. Both partners have repeatedly provided decisive impetus for European unification in the past and have acted as a Franco-German tandem and continue to strive to present a united front to the outside world.
Although united in many views, values and goals for Europe, Germany and France also have diverging interests or different approaches. This applies in particular to the multitude of strategic, political, economic and social challenges in the EU.
Not least due to Russia's renewed attack on Ukraine, Europe is facing shifts in the international balance of power, which is also dynamically and fundamentally changing the framework conditions for the European security architecture. This is being accelerated by the rise of China and the new self-awareness and sense of status of many long-standing partner countries, such as the Gulf states. The pressure to find answers and establish strategies is also increasing due to the fact that topics of global scope, such as climate change or the further development of new technologies, are becoming more and more explosive.
What impact do these dynamics have on Franco-German relations? How do the two states adapt their foreign and security policy strategies to the global shifts in power? How can France and Germany (further) develop a common security, economic and diplomatic strategy in times of geopolitical upheaval?
The Henry Kissinger Professorship for Security and Strategy Studies at CASSIS is organising the event series "Franco-German Strategic Dialogue" together with the Institut Français Bonn, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the Centre Ernst-Robert Curtius (CERC) at the University of Bonn. Experts from politics, business, the military and society in both countries come together to discuss current issues of security policy and strategic relevance.
The events of the series take place at regular intervals digitally and, thanks to simultaneous translation, bilingually.
You can find an overview of past events here!
Past events
Indo-Pacific Tension
Questions around maritime security in the Indo-Pacific are increasingly pressing. How can France and Germany work together efficiently to achieve their sometimes divergent goals? Where can synergies also be created with regard to the EU?
Strategic challenges in space
All modern civilisations depend crucially on space-based infrastructure and its reliable and safe operation. What are the prospects for Germany, France and Europe?
Energy Security in Europe
Energy issues determine the domestic and foreign policy interests and scope for action of European member states. How are Germany and France facing the energy challenges of the 21st century, not least against the background of the current geopolitical situation?
A new nuclear age?
Since Russia's attack on Ukraine, nuclear weapons have once again become the cornerstone of Europe's security architecture. Likewise, discussions on the civilian use of nuclear energy are currently experiencing a renaissance against the backdrop of the fight against climate change and acute energy poverty.
Joint engagement in West Africa
The withdrawal of French troops from Mali not only has far-reaching consequences for the surrounding states and their security structures, but also for Franco-German and intra-European security cooperation.
Joint armament cooperations
In the context of the war in Ukraine, Germany, together with other EU member states, is supplying weapons to a crisis area. In future, Germany and France are planning major armament projects in partnership in all branches of the armed forces
