Germany, France mark 50 years of reconciliation accord with Cabinet, Parliament gatherings
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Germany and France are marking 50 years of an accord that enshrined the two former adversaries' post-World War II reconciliation with a joint Cabinet meeting and a joint session of the countries' parliaments.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Francois Hollande are leading Tuesday's ceremonies at the chancellery and the Reichstag Parliament building.
The 1963 Elysee Treaty marked a milestone for two countries that had fought three wars in 70 years. Since then, they've cooperated closely on economic and cultural issues.
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Germany and France have driven closer European political integration but have been sparring recently over how to resolve the continent's debt crisis.
Germany is also making only a small contribution so far to France's intervention to drive back Islamist extremists in Mali.