‘Inside the united Europe boarding school.’ On 30 November 1953, the Soviet satirical magazine Krokodil expresses its concern over the arrival of a Germany rearmed and allied to the United States within the future European army.

French poster in support of the European Defence Community (EDC).

German poster from 1955 against French annexation of the Saar: ‘Auf die Saar verzichten? Niemals!’ [‘Give up the Saar? Never!’]

Title page of the Saar Treaty, signed on 27 October 1956 in Luxembourg by France and the Federal Republic of Germany.

'Here's to fruitful cooperation!' declare General de Gaulle and the German Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, at the signing, on 22 January 1963, of the Franco-German Treaty of Friendship. This cartoon suggests that this collaboration conceals the desire of each to dominate the other.

Increased cooperation between France and the Federal Republic of Germany forces the Soviet Union into a defensive corner. Moscow is staunchly critical of the role played by General de Gaulle and by the German Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, in the establishment of the 'Paris-Bonn axis.'

On 20 January 1963, the British Sunday newspaper The Observer portrays the European ideal inspired by the vision of the French President, Charles de Gaulle.

Leaflet published in 1967 showing the interest rate for loans granted by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

On 29 March 1977, in German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the cartoonist Fritz Behrendt represents Europe of the Nine as 'Europe en route', bogged down by a succession of governmental crises and internal discord.

On 12 June 1985, in Lisbon, the Portuguese Prime Minister, Mario Soares, and his Foreign Minister, Jaime Gama, sign the Accession Treaty between Portugal and the European Communities.

‘We are doing everything we can to get ready for the euro.’ In 1997, the German cartoonist, Hanel, emphasises the efforts being made by the authorities to prepare Germany and the German people for the gradual transition to the single European currency, the euro.

Illustration portraying the European Parliament.

Illustration portraying the Court of Justice of the European Communities.

'The Euro Balancing Act.' In 2000, the cartoonist Fritz Behrendt depicts the Fifteen and the European Central Bank (ECB) as being compelled to perform a dangerous balancing act in order to ensure the success of the transition to the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the introduction of the single currency, which took place on 1 January 1999.

European Commission poster publicising the change-over to the euro.

The flags of the 25 Member States of the European Union after enlargement on 1 May 2004.