From the Treaty of Paris to the Treaty of Rome

Robert Schuman, Declaration of 9th May 1950

“Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. The coming together of the nations of Europe requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany. Any action taken must in the first place concern these two countries.With this aim in view, the French Government proposes that action be taken immediately on one limited but decisive point.It proposes that Franco-German production of coal and steel as a whole be placed under a common High Authority, within the framework of an organization open to the participation of the other countries of Europe. The pooling of coal and steel production should immediately provide for the setting up of common foundations for economic development as a first step in the federation of Europe.”

• The Schuman Declaration was presented by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950. It proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, whose members would pool coal and steel production.
• This Plan formed the basis of the Treaty of Paris in 1951, which established  the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). It was signed in Paris on 18 April 1951 and entered into force on 23 July 1952.
• It was valid for 50 years. The Treaty expired on 23 July 2002.
• It set up a common market in coal and steel controlled by a single, independent, supranational authority (High Authority).
• The Treaty of Paris was signed by six states: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.
• The United Kingdom had been invited to negotiations but refused to participate as it opposed both the idea of the High Authority and the remit of its powers.

The European Defence Community

• French Defence Minister Rene Pleven proposed a European Defence Community.
• It was signed by the same six states that signed the ECSC in 1952.
• In 1954 the French National Assembly refused to ratify the treaty.
• ” The failure of the EDC discredited the idea of political integration for decades. European integration consequently returned to the philosophy of economic integration” (Schutze, 2012, p.18).

The Treaty of Rome 1957

• Established the European Economic Community (EEC) Treaty and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).
• EURATOM Treaty was formed in order to contribute to the formation and development of Europe’s atomic energy/ nuclear industries.
• The treaties duly entered into force on 1 January 1958.

European Economic Community (EEC) Treaty Aims

• The aim of the EEC Treaty was to establish common market. To remove barriers to trade for four factors of production (goods, services, capital and labour )
• Create a customs union in goods with common external tariff.
• Establish common commercial policy.
• Establish agricultural policy, transport policy, fisheries policy and competition policy.