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.
Part of the Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri), the The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Comité d’études des relations franco-allemandes – Cerfa) has a special status and a history that is no less special. For 70 years, through its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, politicians, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, the Cerfa has developed the Franco-German debate and stimulated political proposals by regularly publishing studies. At a time when Europe is entering a more difficult period for France and Germany, the Cerfa remains an indispensable instrument for the Franco-German relations.
About the Authors
Paul Maurice is Secretary General of The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) at Ifri, where he focuses on German domestic policy, Franco-German relations within the European Union, and German foreign and security policy.
Hans Stark is Professor of Contemporary German Civilization at the Sorbonne Université. From March 1991 to March 2020, he was Secretary General of the Study Committee for Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) at Ifri. Since March 2020, he has been advisor for Franco-German relations at the Ifri, where his work focuses on German foreign and European policy.