In March 1960, on behalf of the European Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), Jean Duvieusart submits a report on a future governmental conference to examine issues that concern both Africa and Europe. The report includes a motion for a resolution on the holding of an Africa–Europe conference with the aim of strengthening the multilateral, balanced nature of the association between the overseas countries and territories (OCTs) and the European Economic Community (EEC).

In preparation for the interparliamentary conference between the countries in the European Economic Community (EEC) and the associated overseas countries and territories (OCTs), the President of the European Parliamentary Assembly, Hans Furler, sends a letter to the speakers of the parliaments of the OCTs on 17 May 1960. Hans Furler emphasises that the European Parliamentary Assembly is keen to strengthen the links between the EEC and the OCTs and to adapt these relations to reflect new realities.

On 1 June 1960, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the way in which, using the visit to the Kremlin of the Malian leader, Modibo Keita, to his advantage, Nikita S. Khrushchev, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, harshly criticises the policy of cooperation between the Six and the continent of Africa.

On 2 June 1960, the German daily newspaper Die Welt considers how to adapt cooperation between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the African countries, given that growing numbers of them are gaining independence.

In July 1960, the monthly publication Communauté européenne considers possible links between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the associated overseas countries on the verge of gaining independence.

‘Freedom in the Congo.’ On 16 July 1960, the German cartoonist, Herbert Kolfhaus, takes an ironic look at the direct consequences of the independence granted to the Belgian Congo on 30 June 1960.

On 8 September 1960, Robert Lemaignen, French Member of the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC) from 1958 to 1961, defines the meaning of cooperation between the Community and the countries of Africa.

In this report dated 7 November 1960, drawn up on behalf of the European Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and the delegation tasked with carrying out a second fact-finding mission in some of the African countries and territories, rapporteur Alain Peyrefitte examines the political and legal issues raised by the association of the European Economic Community (EEC) with these OCTs. He particularly focuses on the statuses of the various OCTs and analyses the prospects for the association.

On 16 November 1960, on behalf of the European Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and the delegation tasked with carrying out a fact-finding mission in some of the OCTs, August De Block submits a report on the economic issues examined during the second fact-finding mission in several African countries associated with the European Economic Community (EEC). He particularly focuses on the economic development of the African countries and analyses economic cooperation between the EEC and the OCTs.

On 16 November 1960, on behalf of the European Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and the delegation tasked with carrying out a fact-finding mission in some of the OCTs, Mario Pedini submits a report on the social issues examined during the second fact-finding mission in several African countries associated with the European Economic Community (EEC). The report analyses the data on the social situation in the countries visited and outlines the activities of the European Development Fund (EDF).

In this additional report dated 22 November 1960 by the European Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and the delegation tasked with carrying out a fact-finding mission in some of the OCTs, rapporteur Walter Scheel examines the issues raised by the association of the OCTs with the European Economic Community (EEC). Taking account of the reports on political, legal, economic and social issues, he presents a motion for a resolution.

On 8 March 1961, General de Gaulle welcomes several representatives of African states that have recently achieved independence to the Élysée Palace. The photo shows, from left to right: Philippe Yacé (President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire), Hamani Diori (first President of the Republic of Niger), Maurice Yaméogo (first President of the Republic of Upper Volta), Charles de Gaulle (President of the French Republic), Félix Houphouët-Boigny (first President of Côte d’Ivoire) and Hubert Maga (first President of the Republic of Dahomey).

In preparation for the conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) due to take place in Strasbourg from 19 to 24 June 1961, the European Parliamentary Assembly prepares documents on the policy of the European Economic Community (EEC) with regard to the African states.

In preparation for the conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) due to take place in Strasbourg from 19 to 24 June 1961, the African MPs meet on 5 June in Ouagadougou. They draw up working documents on economic, technical and cultural issues and on issues relating to the procedures and operation of the Development Fund.

On 12 June 1961, the Europe daily bulletin analyses the working documents prepared by the European Parliamentary Assembly for the Eurafrican Parliamentary Conference due to be held in Strasbourg from 19 to 24 June 1961. The aim of these documents is to clarify the issues raised by the subsequent development of relations between the European Communities (EC) and the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS). The questions raised include the aims of the association, the political and institutional aspects involved in cooperation, economic issues, technical assistance, cultural exchanges and the management of the Development Fund.

On 19 June 1961, at the opening of the conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) in Strasbourg, Hans Furler, President of the European Parliamentary Assembly, gives an address on the development of the association between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the AAMS and the issues surrounding this association.

On 23 June 1961, at the conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) in Strasbourg, rapporteurs Alhaji Hammadou Alim and Marinus van der Goes van Naters propose a series of recommendations on political and institutional matters on behalf of the Committee on Political and Institutional Affairs, and invite the conference to adopt the respective texts.

On 24 June 1961, the Strasbourg Conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) adopts a recommendation on the political and institutional issues raised by the association between the European Communities and the AAMS.

On 24 June 1961, at the conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) in Strasbourg, rapporteurs Jacques Aka and Jean Duvieusart propose a series of recommendations on economic and trade matters on behalf of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Trade, and invite the conference to adopt the respective texts.

On 24 June 1961, the Strasbourg Conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) adopts a recommendation on the economic and trade issues raised by the association between the European Communities and the AAMS.

On 24 June 1961, at the conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) in Strasbourg, rapporteurs Alphonse-Richard Ndounokong and Mario Pedini propose a series of recommendations on behalf of the Committee on Technical Assistance and Cultural Exchanges concerning issues relating to technical cooperation and cultural exchanges, and invite the conference to adopt the respective texts.

On 24 June 1961, the Strasbourg Conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) adopts a recommendation on the issues related to technical cooperation and cultural exchanges raised by the association between the European Communities and the AAMS.

On 24 June 1961, at the conference between the European Parliamentary Assembly and the parliaments of the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS) in Strasbourg, rapporteurs Gilbert Fandilova and Alain Peyrefitte propose recommendations on behalf of the Development Fund Committee concerning issues related to the Development Fund and invite the conference to adopt the respective texts.

Map published by the Press and Information Service of the European Communities showing the six Member States of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the associated Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) as on 1 July 1961.

On 23 July 1961, the French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses the implications of the association of African countries with the European Economic Community (EEC), given that more and more African States are gaining political independence and that the association arrangement laid down in the Treaty of Rome expires in 1962.

On 21 November 1961, the Council of the European Economic Community (EEC) publishes a summary table of the observations made by the EEC and by the Associated States on short-term issues, particularly regarding the operations of the European Development Fund, internal consumption taxes and private investment.

‘Siege’. In 1962, the Soviet publication Krokodil criticises Europe’s colonial domination of Africa and supports African countries in their bid for independence.

In anticipation of the forthcoming meetings of the Permanent Joint Committee, a single committee set up at the Eurafrican Conference in Strasbourg on 24 June 1961, the European Parliament, in particular the Committee for Cooperation with Developing Countries, presents a summary report on the recent activities of the European Economic Community (EEC) with regard to the association with the Associated African and Malagasy States (AAMS).

On 7 February 1963, the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC) presents a working document to the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) on relations between the EEC and Algeria. The Commission examines the current situation with regard to EEC–Algeria relations and identifies several possible courses of action for the Community.