Diagram showing the functioning of the institutions provided for by the Treaty establishing the European Defence Community (EDC), the placing of Member States’ armed forces (European Defence Forces) at the disposal of the Community, and the link between the EDC and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

On 25 February 1953, the Foreign Ministers of the Six meet in Rome during the negotiations on the implementation of the European Defence Community (EDC).

On 24 and 25 February 1953, the Foreign Ministers of the Six (from left to right: Alcide De Gasperi, Paul Van Zeeland, Jan Willem Beyen, Georges Bidault, Konrad Adenauer and Joseph Bech) meet at the Aldobrandini Palace in Rome to discuss the European Defence Community (EDC) and a proposal to include a general common market in the plans for a European Political Community (EPC).

‘I don't know what effect he'll have on the enemy, but by heaven! - he frightens me' On 26 May 1952, the day before the signing of the Treaty instituting the European Defence Community (EDC), the British cartoonist Cummings portrays French fears about the risk of German rearmament.

On 27 May 1952, the Treaty instituting the European Defence Community (EDC) is signed in Paris.

On 27 May 1952, in Paris, Konrad Adenauer, Paul Van Zeeland, Robert Schuman, Alcide De Gasperi, Joseph Bech and Dirk Stikker (from left to right) sign the Treaty establishing the European Defence Community (EDC).