European Union
A Brief Timetable of the Major Stages in the Construction of Europe :
An Old Story ?
In the Middle Ages, Georges Podiebrad, King of Bohemia, proposes a European Confederation.
In 1620, at the behest of Henry IV, the Duke of Sully imagines a Europe comprised
of 15 roughly equal States, under the direction of a "Very Christian Council
of Europe", charged with resolving differences and disposing of a common army.
In the 19th century, Victor Hugo writes: "A day will come when we will see these
two huge groups, the United States of America and the United States of Europe,
standing face to face, clasping hands across the seas, exchanging their products,
their business, their industry".
But it is especially after the Second World War that the idea of a united Europe
begins to gain ground.
First Steps (1946-1957)
In 1946, Winston
Churchill calls for the creation of a "United States of Europe".
In 1948, the European Organization for Economic Cooperation (EOEC) is created
to distribute American Marshall Plan funds for European reconstruction.
"Europe will not come about at a single stroke, nor as a seamless construction.
It will come about through concrete realizations which create first of all a
de facto solidarity. Bringing together the nations of Europe demands an end to
the many centuries of conflict between France and Germany."
When he pronounced these historic words on 9 May 1950, Robert Schuman, the French
Foreign Affairs Minister, was proposing that France and the Federal Republic
of Germany place their coal and steel industries under the authority of an organization
that would be open to the other countries of Europe.
The Founding Fathers of Europe are :
Konrad Adenauer, German, founder of the Christian Democratic party (CDU),
Alcide de Gasperi, Italian, Christian Democrat, Premier and Foreign Affairs Minister
from 1945 to 1950,
Robert Schuman, French, Foreign Affairs Minister from 1948 to 1952,
Jean Monnet, French, General Commissioner to the Planfrom 1946 to 1951, President
of the first community organization: the European Coal and Steel Community from
1952 to 1955,
Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgian, President of the Consultative Assembly to the Council
of Europe from 1949 to 1951.
The Treaty of Paris, signed 18 April 1951, establishes the European Coal and
Steel Community (ECSC) between Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and
the Netherlands.
From the Europe of Six to the Europe of Nine (1958-1973)
On 25 March 1957,
the Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community (EEC), popularly known
as the Common Market, and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). Six
countries are signatories: Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the
Netherlands.
The first Community policy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) comes into effect
in 1962.
A Customs Union is achieved among the Six in July 1968.
On 1 January 1973, the Europe of Six becomes the Europe of Nine, when Denmark,
the United Kingdom and Ireland join the EEC.
Europe seeks its second wind (1974-1985)
In 1974 the heads
of state and government of the member countries decide to meet regularly in a
European Council.
In 1975, the Lomé Convention is signed between the European Community and 46
countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
In the same year the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) comes into existence.
The European Monetary System (EMS) is created on 13 March 1979 to bring stability
to the European currencies; creation of the Ecu (European Currency Unit).
June 1979, first European Parliamentary elections: 410 deputies are elected by
direct vote of citizens for a period of 5 years.
1 January 1981, Greece joins the European Community.
1 January 1985, the first European passports go into circulation.
A Brief Timetable of the Major Stages in the Construction of Europe : 1986-the year 2000