We remember that on 9 May 1950, 75 years ago...
...the declaration that marked the beginning of European integration was made. In 1950, five years after the end of the Second World War, the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, proposed to Germany and ‘to all countries willing to join’ the creation of a European organisation whose aim would be to pool coal and steel production. He thus launched the founding appeal for European integration and laid the foundations for what would become, one year later, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). At the Milan European Council in 1985, the Heads of State and Government decided to establish a ‘Europe Day’ on the symbolic date of 9 May, which has been celebrated every year since 1986.
Discover all events organized in Europe #europeday.
Robert Schuman's text of 9 May 1950
is available in 23 languages on the Foundation's website.Who was Robert Schuman? One of Europe's Founding Fathers
Consult the document regarding the Founding Fathers of EuropeConsult Jacques Rigaud's text: « 18 years in 1950: the European destiny of a generation »
Political notes : order Robert Schuman's book « For Europe »
French-language versionEnglish-language versionNews
23 April 2024
The 15th edition of the Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union not only brings together key figures from the world of politics, including the President of the French Republic, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament, at the heart of the major issues that will determine the future of Europe. It also gives the floor to people from the worlds of business, research and diplomacy. Throughout the book, they share their analyses and their views on the added value of the European Union.
A bibliography relating to Robert Schuman
Robert Schuman. Du Lorrain des frontières au père de l'Europe.
Robert Schuman, homme d'État
Robert Schuman Père de l'Europe
Robert Schuman Père de l'Europe
La vie et l'oeuvre de Robert Schuman
De la déclaration Schuman à Pour l'Europe
Video
History of a treaty
This film is a retrospective of the events that marked the creation (1951) and the early years of the Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). It also describes the functioning of the ECSC institutions: High Authority and Court of Justice. In particular, it includes an extract from the speech given by Robert SCHUMAN on 9 May 1950 proposing the creation of the ECSC, the signing of the Treaty in Paris on 18 April 1951, the speeches given by Jean MONNET on 10 August 1952 at the inauguration of the ECSC High Authority and on 30 April 1953, on the eve of the opening of the European common market for steel and coal. (USIS Fund)
Video
Robert Schuman Declaration – 9 May 1950: a founding act
Robert Schuman, then French Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered a historic speech that now bears his name: the Schuman Declaration. In this speech, he proposed that France and Germany pool their steel and coal production, a decisive step for these countries on the path to peace and solidarity. This led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the first step towards European integration, which would later give rise to the European Union.
Video from the European Commission.