Even in times when Germany and France swore to reconciliation and friendship even more vigorously than today, there were always disagreements between the capitals of both countries, which even went as far as irritation.
Despite all the diplomatic soothing formulas, the cancellation of the Franco-German Council of Ministers planned for October 26 must be seen as an expression of serious discrepancies.
Germany does not always bear the sole responsibility for Franco-German difficulties.
Paris would like to see the German turning point in the procurement of new military equipment as a powerful impetus for more far-reaching European cooperation in the armaments industry.
There is nothing wrong with that in principle, but the significant problems in the development and production of the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft and the difficulties in forming viable alliances for the production of combat aircraft and tanks weigh on French ambitions.
Europeans still need the opportunity to equip themselves outside of their own continent.
Even more than the issue of defense, the issue of energy causes resentment.
Here, however, the German behavior is not only getting on the nerves of the French partners.
First of all, Germany combines – despite numerous warnings – a strong dependency on Russian gas with a moralizing know-it-all attitude towards nuclear energy.
After Vladimir Putin's soldiers brutally demystified Germany's energy policy bully, Berlin is relying more on going it alone than on cooperation with its partners.
The same applies here: There is not only Germany.
With the current vulnerability of its nuclear power plants, France is contributing to the difficulties in making the European electricity market sufficiently resilient for the coming months.
But especially in European politics, the tone makes the music: it wouldn't hurt if Berlin found more time to cultivate its partnerships.