In his memoirs, Edgar Faure, former President of the French Council of Ministers, recalls at length the aftermath of Jean Monnet’s resignation as President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in connection with the Messina Conference on the revival of European integration, which took place from 1 to 3 June 1955.
In a lecture given in 1992, Jacques Delors analyses the similarities and differences between the two stage-by-stage plans for an economic and monetary union: the Werner Report (8 October 1970) and the Delors Report (12 April 1989).
On 9 May 1958, journalist Roger Massip recalls the declaration made by Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950 and describes the origins of the coal and steel pool. He particularly emphasises the role in events played by Jean Monnet, Commissioner-General of the French National Planning Board.
Photo showing the Presidents of the four institutions of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), taken in Luxembourg on 8 February 1955. From left to right: Emilio Battista, President-in-Office of the Special Council of Ministers, Giuseppe Pella, President of the Common Assembly, Jean Monnet, President of the High Authority, and Massimo Pilotti, President of the Court of Justice.
On 11 May 1950, Robert Bothereau, Secretary-General of the CGT-FO [the combined French General Trade Union Confederation and Workers’ Union] expresses his hope that European unity will be achieved progressively.
On 30 June 1950, Konrad Adenauer sends a letter to Robert Schuman in which he thanks the French Foreign Minister and assures him of his support in the forthcoming negotiations on the implementation of a coal and steel pool in Western Europe.
On 13 December 1951, the French National Assembly ratifies the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community. The following day, German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer sends a telegram to Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, to congratulate him.
In May 1950, in an address inspired by Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, proposes the pooling of coal and steel resources in France and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in an organisation open to the other countries of Europe.
In this memorandum, which precedes the official, favourable reaction of US President Harry S. Truman, the Schuman Plan is presented as an advantageous initiative for US international policy.
