Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie on the Correspondence between Helmut Kohl and Otto von Habsburg Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie on the Correspondence between Helmut Kohl and Otto von Habsburg

The article examines the correspondence between Helmut Kohl and Otto von Habsburg, which spanned from 1971 to 2010. At its centre is their shared conviction in the importance of European integration, which is already evident in their early letters. Otto von Habsburg supported Kohl on his path to becoming Federal Chancellor and placed great hopes in his leadership for the advancement of European integration. He also recognised Kohl’s European outlook and his orientation towards Konrad Adenauer at an early stage. At the same time, the correspondence shows that their shared commitment to European integration did not develop into a close political exchange. While Otto von Habsburg repeatedly approached Kohl with political and personnel-related requests, Kohl’s correspondence generally remained factual and focused on individual issues. Nevertheless, contact between the two never broke off. Kohl’s later invitation to speak as the keynote speaker at the General Assembly of the Paneuropean Union in 2002, as well as their correspondence continuing until 2010, demonstrate the lasting personal connection between the two.