On January 22, 1963, French President Charles de Gaulle and West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed the Treaty of Cooperation, which was called the ‘Elysée Treaty’.
The two leaders ended the worst history of conflicts in Europe, including the two world wars. Their countries turned into the two most important allies on the continent, and the sons of warlords in Nazi Germany became “guests of honor” at the July 14th military parade.
Arab and foreign commentators are now wondering: Will the Beijing agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran succeed? Before I try to answer, I must pause at Ireland’s celebration on Monday of the 25th anniversary of the reconciliation agreement between North and South, Catholics and Protestants, foes for centuries.
Neither the Elysée Agreement was possible nor was the Ireland reconciliation expected. But the two covenants worked. Thanks to both respective teams, not just one.
The Beijing agreement will succeed if Iran adheres to what Saudi Arabia has been doing for decades, which is building schools and hospitals and sending aid to Yemen, instead of weapons, instigators and drones.
It will succeed if Tehran follows the behavior of Germany and France, and decides to respect the sovereignty of states and the dignity of peoples.
It will prosper if it participates with Saudi Arabia now in the reconstruction of countries that wars have ravaged, impoverished, and destroyed the lives of their people.
In principle, the ‘Beijing Agreement’ is a gateway to a new history and deep reconciliation similar to the ‘Elysée Treaty’. Great partnership in peace, construction and well-being of the peoples of the region. The French-German reconciliation seems nothing compared to the potential of Saudi-Iranian cooperation. All of this depends on eliminating the spirit of war and focusing on investing enormous wealth in progress and development.
The Saudi model is almost becoming a global model similar to the Chinese example, while Iran’s wealth is still restrained by sanctions and the spending on absurd wars. Reconciliations cannot take place if the future remains hostage to the past. The past is a psychological barrier that will continue to grow if wisdom and courage do not transcend hatred and complexities.
The course of the Saudi-Iranian agreement has been astonishing so far. Every move is a step by statesmen. Every day witnesses a new breakthrough in the region. With every stride, the peoples of the region increase their hope that the windows of life and tranquility are getting wider.
History is moving here, in Asia, and at an amazing pace. Here is the heir to the French Empire, Emmanuel Macron, going to Beijing, asking for support for France and Europe. China is no longer a source of fear that the West struggles to confront, but rather a reality that must be dealt with consciously. As the American saying goes: “If you can’t beat them, join them.”
We don’t want to simplify matters too much. But the world is not only about grudges and wars. The German-French and Irish examples are evidence and proof.
