Sustaining Multilateralism in a Multipolar World. What France and Germany Can Do to Preserve the Multilateral Order
While international multilateralism is under strain, it is vital for France and Germany to defend it, since it is the most appropriate system for preserving their interests – particularly in terms of welfare, security, prosperity and environmental protection. Against this backdrop, three political fields offer opportunities for joint initiatives: trade, conventional arms control and climate change.
On these issues, both governments share not only concerns, but also common positions. However, when it comes to concrete measures, they often face differences of interest that are difficult to overcome. In addition, they must also engage like-minded partners on a case-by-case basis, not only inside but also outside the EU.
This publication is composed of three case studies, exploring potential for action by Paris and Berlin:
Chapter 1 | International trade
Elvire Fabry (Jacques Delors Institute, Paris)
Claudia Schmucker (German Council on Foreign Relations - DGAP, Berlin)
Chapter 2 | Conventional Arms Control
Barbara Kunz (Study Committee for French-German Relations - Cerfa at Ifri, Paris)
Eric-André Martin (Ifri, Paris)
Wolfgang Richter (German Institute for International and Security Affairs - SWP, Berlin)
Chapter 3 | Climate
Carole Mathieu (Center for Energy at Ifri, Paris)
This paper was edited by Claire DEMESMAY (German Council on Foreign Relations - DGAP, Berlin) and Barbara KUNZ (Cerfa, Ifri, Paris).
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Sustaining Multilateralism in a Multipolar World. What France and Germany Can Do to Preserve the Multilateral Order
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The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
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