Presentation
This study examines what have been the main obstacles to Franco-German cooperation in support of global sustainable development so far, and how these play out in practice. Its analytical framework proposes that, after their signature, bilateral treaties still need to be brought to life through domestic implementation in order to fulfil their ambitions, focusing especially on how they are implemented at the level of policy coordination and joint policymaking (meso level) as well as during project implementation (micro level). For these two levels, the study identifies both structural (institutional setups) and ideational factors (strategic visions, cultural particularities) impinging on Franco-Germancooperation in support of global sustainable development.
Key Messages
In order to successfully take forward the commitments expressed in the Treaty of Aachen in the direction of an enhanced Franco-German cooperation, the study puts forward five policy recommendations:
- Safeguard the reiterated commitment from the top political leveland the successful formulation of joint positions for multilateral development policy andenhance the intense collaboration in policy implementation through, for instance, co-financing
- Translate the top-level political momentum onto the working level through a follow-up mechanismwith concrete targets and the participation of agencies
- Promote mutual knowledge and trust between the French and German administrations involved through personnel exchanges and “deep dive” sessions
- Promote procedural best practices from both sides in order to achieve a balance between the two countries
- In the run-up to joint actions, decide systematically whether to share the work or to work towards a common position
Read the report on DIE (German Development Institute) website
