Ondrej Soukup: The alliance between France and Germany remains the engine of European integration

Ondrej Soukup

Can the Franco-German alliance be called the locomotive of Europe, and who can become the third for symmetry? The Newssky correspondent asked for the comment of Ondrej Soukup, a journalist for Czech Radio in Prague.

The alliance of France and Germany has been the locomotive of European integration from the very beginning, and it remains so to this day. This is not only because they are the two largest economies, but also because of a symbolic gesture, since this enmity has traditionally, since the 18th century, been an issue that has caused many wars in Europe. So they (France and Germany) are an important symbol.

I also have a hard time imagining a third partner at this stage. It used to be Great Britain. Even though she had certain reservations, say, regarding deep European integration, but now there is no one who, to be honest, would like to be like that. First, it is not good for the economy. Great Britain has a strong economy despite domestic politics that are very confrontational. Sometimes this blocks the achievement of a compromise at the level of the European Union. So France and Germany will remain the most important for the foreseeable future.

Maryna Kovalchuk, deputy editor-in-chief (Central Europe and Canada) and head of the V5 Media project contributed.

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