The Beginnings of the European Union
A Vision of Europe at Peace and Prosperous

Following World War II (1939 – 1945), much of Europe was in ruins.  Sixty million people had died in two world wars.  Two French men – Jean Monnet and Robert Shuman (French Foreign Minister) had a vision of a Europe without war – a Europe at peace and prosperous.  They approached the leader of  France’s traditional enemy Chancellor Adenauer.  Together they agreed to work for a new Europe which would be build through co-operation and achievement.

The leaders of France and Germany were joined by the leaders of six neighbouring countries of Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.  They began a new age of co-operation by pooling their coal and steel resources putting into words Schuman’s belief “Europe will not be build in a day not as part of some overall design; it will be built through practical achievements that first create a sense of common purpose”.

On the 18th of April 1951 – The Treaty of Paris – also known as the Treaty of the European and Steel Community was signed by six countries – France, West Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg.  And so began ‘an even closer union among the peoples of Europe’.  Ireland with the U.K. and Denmark joined the Community in 1973.

Much of the growing union between the people of the current 27 members countries of the E.U. has been built on shared values and goals.  Further union will depend on citizens championing values such as peace, respect, liberty, democracy, tolerance, solidarity and fundamental rights.  True progress brings challenges and possibilities of stability, security and the harmonious development for a Europe which can truly be a community of nations.