Speech by the Consul General of France Nicolas Bergeret at the Diplomatic Council Summer Celebration 2025

Allow me first to thank the Diplomatic Council for organizing this remarkable event. Thank you, Hang and Andreas. And thank you all. It is a pleasure to be among you, to be among so many committed professionals. And I am particularly grateful for this opportunity to shed light on the diplomatic and geopolitical agenda that France is carrying forward with ambition, realism, and I believe renewed clarity.

Today, I’d like to share some thoughts in three parts. First, on the renewed momentum of the Franco-German partnership in today’s evolving political landscape. Second, on the solid and diverse French presence here in the land of Hesse. And third, on the work of the Consulate General and our local ambitions.

Renewed momentum of the Franco-German partnership

So let me begin by taking a step back to look at the broader picture of the Franco-German partnership as it stands today. When I arrived in Frankfurt in the autumn of last year, the dominant narrative in the media was that of a Franco-German freeze, skepticism, fatigue, diverging priorities. And yet, even then, I expressed my disagreement against this narrative. The Franco-German relationship is not defined by newspapers, but by constant cooperation on the ground, especially in times of crisis. And our cooperation was already very substantial at that time.

And today, we are witnessing a change in intention by both governments to raise our friendship to an even higher level. The election of Chancellor Merz has been widely interpreted as a moment of renewal. His first official visit abroad was Paris. This was a strong political gesture and it was a remarkable success, warmly received in both countries. It confirms the high quality of the personal relationship between President Macron and Chancellor Merz, marked by mutual respect, trust and genuine warmth.

Their direct and constructive dialogue paved the way for substantial alignment on key global and European issues, including support for Ukraine, transatlantic relations, and the urgent need for a common EU agenda on energy, defense, trade, and capital markets. This visit resulted in a joint editorial by President Macron and Chancellor Merz in Le Figaro and Die Welt outlining a common agenda for the future. And this agenda focuses on three core priorities.

The first priority is resynchronizing our views on the main subject. So an example on energy, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to affordability, security and technological neutrality. In defense, we have created a Franco-German Defense and Security Council. And just recently, President Macron and Chancellor Merz expressed the urgency of arming Europe in the face of a constantly changing world. The goal here is clear – to show unity in the face of threats, to support Ukraine, and to strengthen our European defense industry through increased investment. Commitment to peace and freedom is not negotiable.

And finally, another example on space policy, a domain of rising strategic importance. France and Germany pledged to act and move forward together. And with Darmstadt, we are fortunate to host two essential institutions, ESOC and EUMETSAT. And the Consul General is very close to both institutions.

The second priority is to revive the European competitiveness agenda, and this includes simplifying EU regulations, advancing the capital market union, and supporting industrial innovation. The third priority of this new Franco-German partnership is to foster convergence in national reforms, particularly in areas like taxation, social policy, migration, and launching a structured dialogue between the social partners of both countries.

So this renewed method is not just about intention, it is about concrete, measurable action. Inter-ministerial working groups in each ministry, we have working groups, German and French, and inter-ministerial working groups are now tasked with delivering proposals ahead of the next Franco-German Ministerial Council, which is scheduled at the end of August.

And beyond content, what stands out most in this new phase is the method. France and Germany have agreed to systematically promote what we call the Franco-German reflex, a habit of consultation in all levels of government, from international, inter-ministerial working groups to informal corridor talks ahead of high-level meetings, ensuring that our positions are coordinated before every European Council and before major EU initiatives. We don’t want to do anything that could be a problem for Germany, and Germany won’t do anything that could be a problem for France. And this approach strengthens unity, improves efficiency, and reaffirms our shared responsibility as driving forces of European integration.

France in Hesse

The second point of my speech today is France in Hesse, a strong and strategic presence. As we work to renew this strategic partnership on a European level, we are also building daily on a day-to-day basis here in Hesse in every sector. The land of Hesse has long been a privileged region for the French presence in Germany and indeed this presence is not only diplomatic or economic it is human, vibrant and deeply rooted.

The French community in Hesse numbers over 13,000 people possibly even twice as many when accounting for dual nationals. And these personal human ties form the bedrock of a flourishing bilateral relationship. The cities of Frankfurt and Lyon have been twin cities since 1960, a symbolic bond that continues to generate powerful exchanges in culture, youth, education, and innovation. And since 1995, the land of Hesse has nurtured a dynamic partnership with the French region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine also. This decentralized cooperation is one of the most emblematic forms of European integration grounded in shared values.

On the economic front, the numbers speak for themselves. France is one of Hesse’s most important trading partners. France is the second largest supplier of Hesse exports, 4.2 billion euros in 2020, and the fourth largest supplier in imports. Trade is robust, balanced and mutually beneficial. Moreover, over 500 French companies are currently established in Hesse, which provide over 62,000 jobs. These companies are active in sectors that define the future, digital technologies, pharmaceuticals, finance, clean energy, aerospace. And Hesse, alone, accounts for 11% of all French companies in Germany.

On the other side of the Rhine, Hessian companies invest significantly in France, with on average 9 billion euros in foreign direct investment. This clearly shows economic link is not one directional, it is a bond of trust and mutual commitment. This partnership, however, requires a daily proactive commitment.

Work of the French General Consulate in Frankfurt

So allow me now to turn to the work we do at the French General Consulate in Frankfurt. Our work is of course to support French citizens, to offer them services, to protect them, but we are also the first to build bridges, facilitators of cooperation and advocates for France. We can divide our action into three main priorities.

First, it is strengthening our economic footprint, especially in fields of strategic importance for France, for Germany and for the EU. We are currently working to launch a French tech community here in Frankfurt, with the aim of building strong synergies between French innovators and the local tech ecosystem, not only in Frankfurt and ESA, but across the entire RheinMain region. These initiatives are built on the broader national ambition launched by President Macron in 2013 with the creation of the French Tech Mission.

So what is the French Tech? It’s a government-supported program designed to support French startups and to position France as a leading global hub for innovation. Since its inception, French Tech has played a transformative role in boosting entrepreneurship, supporting scale-ups, and promoting a strong tech culture both at home and abroad. Our project of French Tech Frankfurt is still in development, but we already have the support of many key actors, university incubators, major corporations, tech quarters, the Wirtschaftsförderung Frankfurt, Frankfurt Rhein-Main, as well as political decision-makers, such as the Minister President Boris Rhein and the Mayor of Frankfurt, Mr. Mike Joseph.

I can share this with you in confidence that we expect to receive official French tech accreditation by the end of this year. By leading this initiative, we have had the privilege of meeting several French entrepreneurs based in the region, highly qualified, creative, and internationally minded individuals, some of whom will join the future of French tech abroad. You will have the pleasure of meeting them shortly because they are here among us.

Beyond tech, we are also working on projects involving new technology, artificial intelligence, data centers, and green energy, all of which are shared priorities for France and Germany. Among other things we are planning an event on quantum computing here in Frankfurt organized by the head of the office.

Second, we aim to increase France’s visibility across all sectors. This means working hand in hand with all the partners of the French team here in the region. That is to say the French trade associate advisor, l’Institut Français which organizes numerous cultural events, Atout France, whose mission is to promote tourism in France, Business France, which works on investment and business opportunities, and I also think of the Lycée Français International Victor Hugo, the French school of the University of Frankfurt. These partners are essential in helping us build meaningful Franco-German synergies every single day.

Finally, we are deeply committed to engaging youth and the next generation. We promote French as a language of opportunity, encourage student exchanges, internships, and the jobs of young professionals in French and German companies in Hessen. We work to deconstruct outdated stereotypes. We want France to be seen as a country of innovation, opportunity and shared European purpose. This, I believe, is what modern diplomacy looks like, ambitious, collaborative and focused on the future.

France and Germany are pillars of the European project

So the challenges ahead are huge. The war in Ukraine, the green transition, economic security, artificial intelligence and strategic autonomy in a world marked by fragmentation. But we know this much, France and Germany will not face these challenges alone. They will face them together as partners, as co-leaders, and as pillars of the European project.

Once again, thank you to the Diplomatic Council for giving us this platform to share our vision, our ambition, and our action. Merci à tous, and thank you for your attention. (applause)