‘Vivid portrayal of the many and diverse operations (conferences) undertaken to rescue a ‘Europe' in grave mortal danger — "… no, really, be reasonable — we would have to pay much too high a price for that lifebelt over there! (Only to be used after establishment of a customs, economic and monetary entity — altruism) — In the meantime, take a look at all the wonderful plans that we're putting in place for your rescue — and just hang on in there, Europe!"' In April 1950, the German satirical magazine Der Tintenfisch portrays the growing number of projects designed to come to the rescue of a Europe in the throes of integration.
‘It’s in your best interest to stay on good terms with me, gentlemen, for I’m thinking of becoming the third force …’ In 1957, the German cartoonist Köhler questions the role to be played by Europe on the international stage.
La nécessité de la construction européenne: renforcer l'économie
In 1962, in the Bulletin de la Communauté économique européenne, Jean Monnet, former President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), urges Member States to create a united, democratic and social Europe.
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 1 January 1993, the internal market — an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured — enters into force.
In 1995, the German cartoonist, Walter Hanel, illustrates the slow pace of the process of enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs), under the mistrustful eye of Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federation.
On 19 October 1987, Felipe González Márquez, Spanish Prime Minister, gives an address at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence in which he outlines the reasons which led his country to accede to the European Communities and calls for the establishment of an integrated common space in Europe and the implementation of better cooperation in terms of European foreign policy.
