France and Germany recently marked the 54th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty—a treaty that helped reconcile and establish a new foundation of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
In commemoration of the treaty, the German European School Manila (GESM) and Lycée Français de Manille (LFM – French School Manila) jointly celebrated the important date in Franco-German friendship with the official opening of the science laboratories of the European International School Manila.
French Ambassador Thierry Mathou, German Ambassador Gordon Kricke, GESM Headmaster Andreas Thiergen, Jean-Marc Aubry of LFM, and the management committee of the French and German schools graced the auspicious occasion.

Over the last five decades, the Elysée Treaty signed by Charles de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenaue in 1963 not only led to the foundations for a lasting and trusting partnership between the two leading countries, it was also vital in the forged cooperation in addressing education and youth issues.
For over 25 years, the European International School (formerly known as Eurocampus) served as an educational establishment guided by the Elysée Treaty principles.
Organized in 1992 under the strong leadership of French Ambassador Oliver Gaussot, Eurocampus was the first of its kind in the world exemplifying what the possibilities that could be achieved through cooperation and joint efforts between the two countries.
Both GESM and LFM, located on the green and spacious Eurocampus in Parañaque, promote German and French academic excellence for students from nearly over 40 nationalities.

“[GESM and LFM] are happy to welcome you to a celebration which gives a good example of friendship and cooperation,” GESM Headmaster Andreas Thiergen beamed. “This renovation project gives evidence of the exemplary French-Germany cooperation in the field of education.”
“The German-French cooperation is a very good example of [this] spirit. I have only seen a few Eurocampuses worldwide like Shanghai, Taipei and Manila. It means that Manila is indeed a very exclusive club,” Ambassador Kricke added. “This joint relation of the Eurocampus or French-German friendship is not only about political and economic plans but also about concrete projects for the benefit of the people—school children and the teachers.”
 
By VIA BAROMA
Photos courtesy of GERMAN EUROPEAN SCHOOL