In the French newspaper Le Monde, Maurice Duverge explains how France, by considering the Ruhr Statute as a transition from occupied Germany towards an independent Germany, is moving in the direction of European federalism.

On 15 January 1950, during the official visit of the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), the German magazine Die Gegenwart emphasises the importance of Franco-German rapprochement and outlines the divisions between the two countries.

During his official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from 13 to 16 January 1950, Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, meets Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer in Bonn.

On 13 January 1950, during his official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman meets Theodor Heuss, President of the FRG.

From 13 to 16 January 1950, Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, makes an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). The photo shows André François-Poncet, High Commissioner of the French Republic in Germany (on the left), and Robert Schuman (on the right).

On 18 January 1950, shortly after the visit of French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman to the Federal Republic of Germany, German cartoonist Ekö condemns the French proposals on the political and economic future of the territory of the Saar. From left to right: Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, and Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

‘A minor contretemps over coffee.’ On 15 January 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman (on the right) and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (on the left) meet in Bonn. Three days later, German cartoonist Fritz Meinhard illustrates how the thorny question of the political and economic autonomy of the Saar (depicted as a mouse) is disrupting this Franco-German meeting.

‘European duet. On a slightly out-of-tune piano'. From 13 to 15 January 1950, Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, visits the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to meet Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. Despite the differing views of the two men on the settlement of the Saar question, German cartoonist Wand emphasises both the historic nature of this meeting and the commitment of the two men to European unity.

On 19 January 1950, as Robert Schuman visits the FRG, the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit emphasises the French Foreign Minister’s determination to improve Franco-German relations.

From 13 to 16 January 1950, Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, makes an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).