Most of the European conflicts of the past stemmed from Franco-German rivalry. France, with its drive to expand its eastern border to the Rhine and beyond, annexing German territories in the process, bears the greater responsibility. After World War II, the United States was the dominant power in Europe. Western Europe was their sphere of influence. The USA was interested in the western European states keeping peace with each other and in Western Germany being stabilized in order to build a counterweight to the Soviet empire. That is why they left no room for French revenge and revenge against Germany. In order to gain influence on European and above all German politics despite American dominance, De Gaulle decided to move closer to West Germany. He and the subsequent French presidents never had an equal partnership in mind. Rather, West Germany, as a junior partner, should use its resources to make France's wishes for a great power possible. The EU is an instrument to limit German sovereignty and to gain access to German resources - especially finances. The euro, introduced at France's urging, reinforces this trend.

I would like to know if Kohl's and Mitterrand's wives were enthusiastic about it.

Du verlierst dich in Kleinigkeiten. Vielleicht stört dich auch, dass sich die Geigerin am Kopf kratzt.

Klugscheisser sterben eben NIE aus! Kann er ja alles machen- wenn er es denn kann....@@adifreitag8579