"Looking back at history shows us the strong interrelation between economy and politics. The origins of the European union, of which Konrad Adenauer was one the founding fathers, date back to the post-second world war era, in particular the foundation of the European coal and steel community in 1951, followed by the treaties of Rome establishing the European economic community.
Both these bodies are now part of the European Union, which was formed in 1993. Representatives from Germany and France, arch enemies for centuries, are now sitting together in the same European institutions, making joint decisions.
Obviously, the situation in Europe cannot be compared to the Middle East. Nevertheless, joint economic interests and win-win situations are strong engines also for political change. One of the main pillars of the work of the Konrad-Adenuuer-Stiftung (KAS) in Jerusalem is helping to foster Israel's Peaceful Coexistence with its neighbors, especially with the Palestinians. KAS has been working together with IPCRI for more than a decade focusing its efforts on joint Israeli-Palestinian economic working groups. With these dialogue projects, KAS promotes the endeavors of the international community to improve the economic situation in the Autonomous Palestinian Territories."
Dr. Lars Hansel
Director of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Israel