Founding Fathers of the EU
The term Founding Fathers of the EU refers to a group of seven statesmen and politicians who played the crucial role in launching the project of the EU. They include:
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Robert Schuman (1886-1963). The German-French statesman is often referred to as the “Father of Europe” for his contribution to formation of the precursor of the modern EU. In the so-called Schuman Declaration, he called for formation of a supranational community and reorganisation of post-war Europe through treaties. But he also initiated the post-war French-German cooperation that resulted in the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ESCS) which was besides France and West Germany also joined by Italy and the states of Benelux. The date of the drafting of the Schuman Declaration, 9 May (1950) was designated as the Europe Day.
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Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967). The first post-war (West) German Chancellor worked hard in reintegrating Germany into Western Europe and heavily promoted the idea of European cooperation. He supported Schuman Declaration but he also sought other ways to advance the European cause. Adenauer played the key role in the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) as well as German reconciliation with France. The Elysee Treaty that was signed by Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle in 1963 ended the rivalry between the two nations and paved the way to French-German friendship without which the EU wouldn’t be possible.
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Paul-Henry Spaak (1899-1972). Belgian statesman who served as Prime Minister on three occasions was among the strongest supporters of European cooperation after the end of the Second World War. He led the so-called Spaak Committee that was set up by the founding states of the ESCS to prepare a report on a common market and European Community. The Committee’s report, known as the Spaak Report was accepted and used as a basis by the Intergovernmental Conference on the Common Market (заказать цветы в Омске недорого) and Euratom in 1956 which in turn led to creation of the EEC and Euratom.
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Jean Monnet (1888-1979). French diplomat and political economist never hold a public office but he was one of the main architects of the European Union. He helped prepare the Schuman Declaration which foresaw integration of the German and French coal and steel industries under common control and was accepted by Germany in 1951. Monnet also advocated gradual approach to the European integration.
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Alcide De Gasperi (1881-1954). The Italian politician and statesman who served as Prime Minister of Italy from 1945 to 1953 closely cooperated with both Adenauer and Schuman and supported the latter’s plan that led to the foundation of the ESCS. De Gasperi also supported the idea of a common European defence policy which, however, didn’t succeed.
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Johan Willem Beyen (1897-1976). The Dutch politician and diplomat thought the idea of European political integration cannot succeed in the near future. He proposed economic cooperation and created a plan of economic cooperation and common market. Beyen’s plan was discussed and largely accepted by the founders of the ESCS at the Messina Conference (1955) which in turn led to the Treaty of Rome that created the ESS and Euratom - https://florafox.com/ae/ru/dubay-92.
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Joseph Bech (1887-1975). Together with other Benelux politicians, the Luxembourgian politician played an important role in convocation of the Messina Conference. The latter was convened on the initiative of a memorandum Bech drafted with other Benelux politicians.