French and German leaders mark WW1 anniversary

A selection of news and commentary features marking the events to focus on the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914.

French President François Hollande and his German counterpart, Joachim Gauck, made a joint tribute to soldiers killed in the First World War on the 3 August 2014 as they commemorated in Alsace the 100th anniversary of Germany's declaration of war on France on 3 August 1914.

As Europe remembered the start of the war, ceremonial services were held in Belgium, France and the United Kingdom in the following days.

Commentators noted the anniversary and the significance of the two world wars in the 20th century as a spur for the European integration movement and the development of the EU.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised Belgium and the EU on 28 October at a ceremony commemorating the First Battle of Ypres.

• Primary Source

France24, 03.08.14: In pictures: French and German leaders mark WWI centenary http://www.france24.com/en/20140803-french-german-president-wwi-anniversary-vieil-armand-hollande-great-war/

Deutsche Welle, 03.08.14: Gauck and Hollande commemorate 100th anniversary of World War One http://dw.de/p/1Co1m

Deutsche Welle, 03.08.14: Opinion: European unity is key http://dw.de/p/1Co8l

Euronews, 03.08.14: French and German leaders mark WW1 in joint commemoration http://www.euronews.com/2014/08/03/french-and-german-leaders-mark-ww1-in-joint-commemoration/

Euro|Topics: Who;s saying what: Europe commemorates World War I http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/debatten/links_2014-02-ersterweltkrieg/

Deutsche Welle: Tag: World War 1 http://www.dw.de/search/english/world+war+one/category/9097/

EUObserver, 04.08.14: Hollande: Europe should never be 'tired' of peace http://euobserver.com/news/125185

BBC News, 05.08.14: 'Lights Out' ends day of WW1 centenary commemorations http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28632223

Euronews: Tag: World War I Centenary http://www.euronews.com/tag/world-war-i-centenary/

The Guardian, 04.08.14: Comment is free: 1914: the Great War has become a nightly pornography of violence (Simon Jenkins) http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/04/1914-first-world-war-pornography-violence-centenary-military-propaganda

EurActiv, 29.10.14: Merkel praises Belgium, EU at commemoration of battle of Ypres http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/merkel-praises-belgium-eu-commemoration-battle-ypres-309572

Deutsche Welle, 28.10.14: Merkel remembers battle of Ypres, WWI dead in Flanders http://dw.de/p/1DdRE

EurActiv, 11.11.14: Thousands mourn First World War dead in Ypres http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/thousands-mourn-first-world-war-dead-ypres-309919

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