Every country which democratically chooses
to accede to the European Union endorses its fundamental values of peace
and solidarity.
These values find expression through economic and social development
embracing environmental and regional dimensions which are the guarantees
of a decent standard of living for all citizens.
While Europe as such has existed for centuries, the elements which
united it, in the absence of rules and institutions, have in the past
been insufficient to prevent the most appalling tragedies.
The integration of Europe will not come about in one day or even in a
few decades. Deficiencies are still numerous and there are evident
imperfections. The project which was begun just after the Second World
War is still very new. In the past, efforts at European union were based
on domination of one group over another. These attempts could not last,
because those who had been conquered had only one aspiration: to regain
their freedom.
Today's ambition is completely different: to build a Europe which
respects freedom and the identity of all of the people which compose it.
Only by uniting its peoples can Europe control the mastery of its
destiny and develop a positive role in the world.
The European Union is at the service of its citizens. While keeping
their own specific values, customs and language, European citizens
should feel at ease in the "European home".
This is the full text of the proposal, which was
presented by the French foreign minister Robert Schuman
and which led to the creation of what is now the European Union.
World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative
efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.
The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to
civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.
In taking upon herself for more than 20 years the role of champion of a
united Europe, France has always had as her essential aim the service of
peace. A united Europe was not achieved and we had war.
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, and will change the destinies of those
regions which have long been devoted to the manufacture of munitions of
war, of which they have been the most constant victims.
The solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that
any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable, but
materially impossible. The setting up of this powerful productive unit,
open to all countries willing to take part and bound ultimately to
provide all the member countries with the basic elements of industrial
production on the same terms, will lay a true foundation for their
economic unification.
This production will be offered to the world as a whole without
distinction or exception, with the aim of contributing to raising living
standards and to promoting peaceful achievements. [...]
In this way, there will be realized simply and speedily that fusion of
interest which is indispensable to the establishment of a common
economic system; it may be the leaven from which may grow a wider and
deeper community between countries long opposed to one another by
sanguinary divisions.
By pooling basic production and by instituting a new
High Authority, whose decisions will bind France, Germany , Belgium and other
member countries, this proposal will lead to the realization of the
first concrete foundation of a European federation indispensable to the
preservation of peace.
To promote the realization of the objectives defined, the French
Government is ready to open negotiations on the following bases.
The task with which this common High Authority will be charged will be
that of securing in the shortest possible time the modernization of
production and the improvement of its quality; the supply of coal and
steel on identical terms to the French and German markets, as well as to
the markets of other member countries; the development in common of
exports to other countries; the equalization and improvement of the
living conditions of workers in these industries.
To achieve these objectives, starting from the very different conditions
in which the production of member countries is at present situated, it
is proposed that certain transitional measures should be instituted,
such as the application of a production and investment plan, the
establishment of compensating machinery for equating prices, and the
creation of a restructuring fund to facilitate the rationalization of
production. The movement of coal and steel between member countries will
immediately be freed from all customs duty, and will not be affected by
differential transport rates. Conditions will gradually be created which
will spontaneously provide for the more rational distribution of
production at the highest level of productivity.
In contrast to international cartels, which tend to impose restrictive
practices on distribution and the exploitation of national markets, and
to maintain high profits, the organization will ensure the fusion of
markets and the expansion of production.
The essential principles and undertakings defined above will be the
subject of a treaty signed between the States and submitted for the
ratification of their parliaments. The negotiations required to settle
details of applications will be undertaken with the help of an
arbitrator appointed by common agreement. He will be entrusted with the
task of seeing that the agreements reached conform with the principles
laid down, and, in the event of a deadlock, he will decide what solution
is to be adopted.
The common High Authority entrusted with the management of the scheme
will be composed of independent persons appointed by the governments,
giving equal representation. A chairman will be chosen by common
agreement between the governments. The Authority's decisions will be
enforceable in France, Germany and other member countries. Appropriate
measures will be provided for means of appeal against the decisions of
the Authority.
A representative of the United Nations will be accredited to the
Authority, and will be instructed to make a public report to the United
Nations twice yearly, giving an account of the working of the new
organization, particularly as concerns the safeguarding of its
objectives.
The institution of the High Authority will in no way prejudge the
methods of ownership of enterprises. In the exercise of its functions,
the common High Authority will take into account the powers conferred
upon the International Ruhr Authority and the obligations of all kinds
imposed upon Germany, so long as these remain in force.
