Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Kühler
Merkel described the long-standing Franco-German friendship as a "miracle" and expressed her conviction that under Sarkozy, as under his predecessors, Franco-German relations will underpin peace in Europe.
Sarkozy took over from his predecessor Jacques Chirac that morning in a ceremony held at the Elysée Palace in Paris. He is the sixth President of the Fifth Republic, which was founded in 1958.
Merkel's first trip abroad on taking office also took her to France. On 23 November 2005, one day after she was sworn in by the Federal President, she met the then French President Jacques Chirac in Paris.
It is considered a special mark of respect to welcome a foreign guest with military honours, and is customary in almost all sovereign states. The tradition has its roots in history: by presenting their unloaded rifles, the military demonstrate to guests the peaceful intentions of their host. In Germany the Guard Battalion of the Federal Ministry of Defence is responsible for providing military honours.
Initial talks: Constitutional Treaty
"We will be getting down to work right away," said Merkel. After all there is still a lot to be done before the European summit in June, regarding the European Constitutional Treaty.
Before the elections to the European parliament in 2009, Europe must be placed on a new constitutional footing. Otherwise it faces gridlock. As the acting EU Council President, Merkel aims to draw up a proposal – in close collaboration with France.
She also discussed the EU-Russia Summit with Sarkozy. She will be leaving tomorrow for Samara. Here too, important, and in some cases thorny, European issues are on the agenda.
In 2005 the EU Constitutional Treaty was rejected in referendums held in France and the Netherlands. At the EU summit meeting held on 17 June 2005 in Brussels, the heads of state and government of the EU thereupon decided to extend the deadline for the ratification process until mid-2007, at which point a decision must be taken on the constitutional process.