In this interview excerpt, Philippe de Schoutheete, Honorary Belgian Ambassador and Minister-Counsellor in Bonn from 1972 to 1976, describes the circumstances surrounding the preparation of the report submitted to the Heads of State or Government by Leo Tindemans, Belgian Foreign Minister, at the end of 1975, and particularly refers to his own personal role as drafter of the report. In retrospect, although it was not formally approved, this report, which was intended to offer a conception of European Union, foreshadowed many subsequent developments in European integration.