On 10 August 1952, Jean Monnet delivers the opening address at the first session of the High Authority of the ECSC and outlines the operation and supranational aspect of the institutions of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

In his opening speech delivered on 10 August 1952 at the inaugural session of the High Authority, Jean Monnet makes it clear that the ECSC wishes to be totally open to other States and international organisations.

On 9 June 1955, less than a week after the conclusion of the Messina Conference attended by the Six, Jean Monnet resigns in Luxembourg as President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

Le 27 septembre 2004, le journal luxembourgeois Le Quotidien publie un entretien avec Martine Reicherts, chef de service de l'Office Infrastructures et logistique (OIL) de la Commission européenne au Luxembourg.

In this interview, Edmund Wellenstein, who served as Director-General for European Affairs in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1950 to 1952 then senior official at the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) until 1967, describes the personality and political philosophy of Jean Monnet, first President of the ECSC High Authority.

In this interview, Georges Berthoin, Head of the Private Office of Jean Monnet, President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) from 1952 to 1956, discusses the circumstances surrounding his nomination to this post.

On 10 February 1953, the first trainload of German coal crosses the French frontier without having to pay the traditional customs duties. This event marks the opening of the transitional period prior to the establishment of a common market in coal and steel and is welcomed in a statement made by Jean Monnet, President of the ECSC.