French and Germany Ambassadors present Ugandan with a Peace and reconciliation Award 2019.

KAMPALA, Uganda

The French Ambassador to Uganda Mrs. Stéphanie Rivoal and the Germany Ambassador to Uganda Dr. Albrecht Conze jointly presented the peace and reconciliation award to Ms. Brenda Akia for her role in the prevention and promotion of accountability for sexual and gender-based violence committed against children, women, and men in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

The award was presented during the 3^rd Franco-German Peace and Reconciliation award /56^th Elysée Treaty anniversary at the French Ambassaders Residence in Nakasero, Kampala.

Addressing the congregation, Rivoal reminded the delegation about the core values that have bided Europe and said that the commitment to build a prosperous, more united Europe was built on core values.

She said: “Our values, the European values, shall never be forgotten.”

She reminded the congregation that as Europeans, they are concerned about the aspect of dignity for all human beings, democracy, equality, freedom, the rule of law, and respect of human rights.

“We care about dignity for all human beings, democracy, equality, freedom, we care about the rule of law and we care about respect of human rights.” She stressed.

Speaking about the French and Germany reconciliation, she pointed out that the goal of the Élysée Treaty is  to increase the cooperation between their countries in the areas of international relations, defense and education because they are very much required.

“In 2018, last year, a joint declaration of Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel set the need to further develop Franco-German cooperation in order to meet the political, economic, social and technological challenges of the next decades. Their words were not lost on us.” She added.

On his part, the Germany Ambassador applauded the glorious relationship that the two countries have enjoyed since 1957 when their leaders reached out to each other to forge a peaceful relationship that has lasted for decades.

However he noted that Europe is not in good shape and it’s hard to predict the three unknowns happening in this year’s equation for Europe such as the Brexit, the election of the European Parliament in May, threat from emerging powers, by autocrats, and by those who want to abandon multilateralism and the international order my generation and the previous one have established with immense effort.

He added that with Unity among them, they can find better and lasting solutions to the emerging problems in Europe where France and Germany are taking a lead.

“Without unity between the two of us, these challenges cannot be met at all. Our responsibility is huge,” he noted.

The Franco-German friendship treaty (Élysée Treaty) was signed on January 22^nd 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle of France and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer which sealed reconciliation between the two countries.

The Treaty laid the foundation for a long lasting era of peace and friendship between France and Germany, leading to close consultations at political, economic and cultural levels.

In Europe, the ElyséeTreaty was instrumental in the establishment of the European Union, France and Germany being its founding members.

This is the third time the ambassadors of France and Germany to Uganda have celebrated the Franco-German friendship treaty in Uganda.

The event was graced by the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe.

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