TestZen · Einbürgerungstest · Practice

235. The French President François Mitterrand and the German Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl commemorate together in Verdun the dead of both World Wars. Which objective of the European Union is made clear at this meeting?

Official German wording

Der französische Staatspräsident François Mitterrand und der deutsche Bundeskanzler Helmut Kohl gedenken in Verdun gemeinsam der Toten beider Weltkriege. Welches Ziel der Europäischen Union wird bei diesem Treffen deutlich?

  1. Freundschaft zwischen England und Deutschland
  2. Reisefreiheit in alle Länder der EU
  3. Frieden und Sicherheit in den Ländern der EU
  4. Einheitliche Feiertage in den Ländern der EU

Answer options

  1. Friendship between England and Germany
  2. Freedom to travel to all EU countries
  3. Peace and security in the countries of the EU
  4. Uniform public holidays in the countries of the EU

Correct answer

Peace and security in the countries of the EU

Explanation

The Verdun gesture in 1984 – the handshake of Mitterrand and Kohl at the Douaumont ossuary – is an iconic symbol of Franco-German reconciliation after two world wars. It illustrates the peace mandate anchored in constitutional and Union law: the Preamble of the Basic Law (to serve the peace of the world in a united Europe) and Article 23 of the Basic Law align with Article 3(1) TEU (the Union shall promote peace). European integration – from the ECSC Treaty to the EU – was conceived as a peace-and-security order that renders war between member states unthinkable. The meeting therefore highlights the EU objective of peace and security, not travel facilitation or cultural uniformity.

Official sources

The German questions come from the original BAMF catalog for the Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland. Translations and explanations are study aids; verify legal details in the official sources.