When former French President Charles de Gaulle proclaimed Franco-German friendship on the steps of the Old Town Hall in 1962 in the presence of Konrad Adenauer, this heralded a new era of partnership and understanding between Germany and France.

Deputy Mayor Dr. Ursula Sautter recalled this historic moment when welcoming the guests to the Old Town Hall. She pointed out that the city's Golden Book already contains the entries of three presidents of the French Republic (General Charles de Gaulle, 1962; Valery Giscard d'Estaing, 1980; Francois Mitterand, 1987) and three presidents of the French National Assembly (Achille Antoine Peretti, 1973; Louis Mermaz, 1984; Laurent Fabius 1999). Ursula Sautter: "These names stand for decades of cooperation, dialog and friendship between our peoples. The entries also reflect the close ties between the French Republic and the City of Bonn." 

The Deputy Mayor cited the partnerships between the districts of Beuel and Mirecourt, Hardtberg and Villemomble and Bad Godesberg and Saint-Claud as examples of the friendly relations that have grown over the decades. She also referred to numerous institutions of Franco-German cooperation based in Bonn, such as the Institut français Bonn, the Ernst Robert Curtius Center at the University of Bonn and the École de Gaulle-Adenauer. The school's students sang two songs on the occasion of the ceremony.

Bundestag President Bärbel Bas said: "Bonn is a city steeped in history. In addition to its geographical proximity to France, Bonn has always been the scene of close friendship between our countries. Today, we are continuing the Franco-German story in Bonn. With a message of tolerance, the protection of minorities and a joint stand against anti-Semitism."