Charles de Gaulle, President of the French Republic, and Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the Franco-German consultation meeting held on 13 January 1967 in Paris.

On 10 July 1967, in an interview with the television channel Deutsche Welle, Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), reviews Franco-German cooperation, with particular regard to the major European issues such as the enlargement of the European Communities and security policy.

On 9 October 1969, Egon Bahr, Head of the Policy Planning Staff in the Foreign Ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), forwards to the Foreign Minister, Willy Brandt, a note in which he gives a summary of a meeting with the French Ambassador, François Seydoux, concerning future relations between France and Germany. Bahr outlines to Brandt, who is to be elected Chancellor on 21 October, France’s temporarily uncertain position and suggests that he should propose to the French President that cooperation be enhanced between the two countries by moving from ‘exemplary cooperation’ to ‘preferential cooperation’.

On 27 November 1969, in an effort to maintain close cooperation with France, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), informs the French President, Georges Pompidou, of his plans a few days before the opening of the Hague Summit, due to be held on 1 and 2 December.

In this interview, Egon Bahr, former State Secretary and Minister to the German Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt, describes the relationship between the German Chancellor and the French President, Georges Pompidou.

In this interview, Egon Bahr, former Head of the Policy Planning Staff in the German Federal Foreign Office under Willy Brandt, discusses the stance taken by Willy Brandt towards the European policy of General de Gaulle, in particular regarding the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities.

On 1 July 1970, in an interview granted to the French television channel ORTF on the eve of the Franco-German consultation meeting scheduled to be held on 3 and 4 July, Willy Brandt describes relations between France and the Federal Republic of Germany as ‘exemplary’. The German Chancellor emphasises the importance of the support of the French President, Georges Pompidou, for the Federal Government’s Ostpolitik.

On 3 July 1970, during Franco-German consultations, the French President, Georges Pompidou, describes cooperation between the two countries as ‘exemplary’.

On 3 July 1970, during the Franco-German consultations held on 3 and 4 July, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), outlines the major challenges in the area of European policy and welcomes the good relations between the two countries. In his address, the French President, Georges Pompidou, had described these relations as ‘exemplary’.

On 3 July 1970, during the Franco-German consultations held on 3 and 4 July, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), outlines the major challenges in the area of European policy and welcomes the good relations between the two countries. In his address, the French President, Georges Pompidou, had described these relations as ‘exemplary'.

The President of the French Republic, Georges Pompidou, and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), Willy Brandt, at the Franco-German consultation meeting held on 3 July 1970 in Bonn.

The President of the French Republic, Georges Pompidou, and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), Willy Brandt, at the Franco-German consultation meeting held on 3 July 1970 in Bonn.

On 10 November 1969, on the eve of the Summit of the Heads of State or Government of the Six in The Hague, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, outlines in a note his thoughts on the establishment of a European Reserve Fund.

On 10 November 1969, on the eve of the Summit of the Heads of State or Government of the Six in The Hague, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, outlines in a note his thoughts on the establishment of a European Reserve Fund.

On 27 November 1969, in an effort to maintain close cooperation with France, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), informs the French President, Georges Pompidou, of his plans a few days before the opening of the Hague Summit, due to be held on 1 and 2 December.

On 1 December 1969, at the opening of the Hague European Summit, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, emphasises the importance and the implications of an enlargement of the European Communities and sets out his ideas on the deepening of the European integration process.

On 2 December 1969, in the Final Communiqué from the Hague Summit, the Heads of State or Government of the Six declare their determination to pursue the aim of the unification of Europe and to strengthen the European Communities.

On 1 December 1969, on the occasion of the Hague Summit, the Heads of State or Government of the Six pose for the traditional group photo. In the first row (from left to right): Mariano Rumor, Willy Brandt, Georges Pompidou, Piet de Jonck, Gaston Eyskens, Jacques Chaban-Delmas and Pierre Werner. In the second row (from left to right): Aldo Moro, Gaston Thorn, Maurice Schumann, Pierre Harmel, Joseph Luns and Walter Scheel.

Walter Scheel, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), the Federal Chancellor, Willy Brandt, and Katharina Focke, State Secretary in the Chancellery with special responsibility for the coordination of European policy, at the Hague European Summit held on 1 and 2 December 1969.

On 3 December 1969, in a speech to the Bundestag, German Chancellor Willy Brandt gives an initial overview of the decisions adopted by the Six the previous day at the end of the Hague European Summit.

In his political memoirs, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from 1969 to 1974, recalls the negotiations between and the decisions taken by the Heads of State or Government of the Six at the Hague Summit held on 1 and 2 December 1969.

On 16 March 1970, Katharina Focke, State Secretary in the Chancellery with special responsibility for European affairs, delivers an address on the outcome of the Hague Summit held on 1 and 2 December 1969. She outlines, in particular, the various aspects of the European policy pursued by the Brandt Government and analyses the consequences of the decisions taken by the Heads of State or Government of the Six for the European integration process.

On 20 March 1967, on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Rome Treaties, Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), emphasises the need for a common policy in the fields of transport and energy, as well as the principle of free movement, with a view to the completion of the European Communities.

On 22 February 1967, in an address delivered to the Bundestag, Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), gives an assessment of the situation in the European Communities. He considers the various issues, in particular, the completion of the Communities and the possible accession of the United Kingdom, and sets out, each time, the position adopted by the grand coalition.

In his political memoirs, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from 1969 to 1974, recalls the efforts that he made to have Community policy extended to the social field and European political cooperation in the European Communities enhanced.

In this interview, Egon Bahr, former Head of the Policy Planning Staff in the German Federal Foreign Office under Willy Brandt, discusses the German Foreign Minister's support for the United Kingdom's application to join the European Communities.

On 18 June 1967, Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), emphasises the importance of the accession of the Scandinavian countries to the European Communities for the unification of Europe.

On 13 October 1967, in Bonn, Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), explains to the Bundestag why the FRG is in favour of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) and proposes that he should play the mediator between London and Paris.

‘EEC — the eye of the needle’. In 1968, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, illustrates the efforts of Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), to bring the United Kingdom’s application for accession to the European Communities to a successful conclusion, despite the opposition of General de Gaulle.

On 12 May 1969, in an article published in the magazine Der Spiegel, Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), outlines the European policy of the Federal Government following Charles de Gaulle’s withdrawal from politics and comments on the new prospects for the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.

On 2 March 1970, Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister, welcomes the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, to 10 Downing Street. The two Heads of Government discuss, in particular, the new Ostpolitik of the Federal Government and the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.

On 18 March 1971, in a letter sent to Georges Pompidou, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, urges the French President to find a common solution to the problem of the British contribution to the financing of the EU as quickly as possible so as to enable negotiations to be concluded for the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.

On 5 April 1971, during the visit of the British Prime Minister to Bonn, Edward Heath and the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, analyse the prospects for the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.

Willy Brandt and Edward Heath during the British Prime Minister’s visit to Bonn on 5 April 1971.

On 6 April 1971, the day after his meeting with the British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, Willy Brandt informs the French President, Georges Pompidou, of the outcome of the discussions. In his letter, the German Chancellor reiterates his determination to open negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities as quickly as possible.

‘Mooring manœuvre.’ On 7 April 1971, referring to the reluctance of Georges Pompidou, President of the French Republic, the German cartoonist, Ernst Maria Lang, illustrates the role of mediator played by the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, who offers his help to Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, to anchor the United Kingdom to the European Communities.

On 24 June 1971, the day after an agreement in principle was reached on the conditions for British accession to the European Communities, German Chancellor Willy Brandt delivers a speech to the Bundestag in which he welcomes the historic significance of the first enlargement of the European Communities.

In his memoirs, Willy Brandt recalls the deadlock in the European Communities following the ‘empty chair’ crisis and the difficulty in progressing from economic integration to political integration. With regard to Europe, his first actions in 1968 as Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) were aimed at establishing an economic union and at merging the executive bodies of the three Communities. Five years later, Brandt, who had become Chancellor in 1969, played a role in the establishment the European Council.

On 27 October 1970, in Luxembourg, the Foreign Ministers of the Six adopt the Davignon Report, which seeks progress in the area of political unification through cooperation in foreign policy matters.

On 11 February 1972, during the consultation meetings between France and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), Willy Brandt proposes the establishment of an administrative secretariat in the European Communities with responsibility for issues relating to political cooperation. The German Chancellor also discusses the strengthening of the Community’s institutions and the appointment of Ministers to be responsible for European Affairs.

On 20 April 1972, the British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, welcomes the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, to 10 Downing Street in order to discuss, in particular, the forthcoming meeting in Paris of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Communities.

On the eve of the Paris Summit of 19–21 October 1972, the French President, Georges Pompidou, reveals his hopes to RTL that the nine Heads of State or Government will make genuine progress and outline the overall prospects for Europe.

The Heads of State or Government of the nine Member States of the enlarged European Community meet for the first time at the Paris European Summit held from 19 to 21 October 1972. During this meeting, the Heads of State or Government confirm their wish to strengthen political cooperation.

In an initial joint statement published after the Paris European Summit (19 to 21 October 1972), the Heads of State or Government of the future Nine outline the objectives and the policies to be pursued with a view to achieving a European Union.

On 19 October 1972, at the Paris Summit, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, outlines his European policy priorities to the Heads of State or Government of the enlarged Communities.

At the meeting attended by the Heads of State or Government of the Nine held in Paris, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) submits proposals with a view to the establishment of a European social policy.

On 22 October 1972, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, holds a press conference on the outcome of the Paris European Summit, held from 19 to 21 October 1972.

Egon Bahr, former State Secretary and Minister in the Chancellery, the Federal Chancellor, Willy Brandt, and Hans Apel, who became Parliamentary State Secretary with special responsibility for European Affairs attached to the Foreign Minister in December 1972, at a meeting held at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on 7 February 1973.

On 23 July 1973, in Copenhagen, as a follow-up to the Davignon Report adopted in Luxembourg on 27 October 1970, the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the European Communities adopt a second report on the strengthening of European political cooperation in matters of foreign policy.

On 9 October 1973, Willy Brandt notifies the French President, Georges Pompidou, of his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister, Edward Heath. The German Chancellor asks the French President, in particular, to take the initiative with a view to convening regular meetings of Heads of State or Government so as to speed up the process of European unification.

On 13 November 1973, Willy Brandt becomes the first Head of Government of a Member State of the European Communities to address the European Parliament meeting in plenary sitting. The German Chancellor delivers an address in which he outlines his opinions on European integration. With regard to the European Communities, Brandt discusses, in particular, the establishment of a European Government and proposes a programme that must be implemented without delay.

On 13 November 1973, Willy Brandt becomes the first Head of Government of a Member State of the European Communities to address the European Parliament meeting in plenary sitting. The German Chancellor delivers an address in which he outlines his opinions on European integration. With regard to the European Communities, Brandt discusses, in particular, the establishment of a European Government and proposes a programme that must be implemented without delay.

On 13 November 1973, Willy Brandt becomes the first Head of Government of a Member State of the European Communities to address the European Parliament meeting in plenary sitting. The German Chancellor delivers an address in which he outlines his opinions on European integration. With regard to the European Communities, Brandt discusses, in particular, the establishment of a European Government and proposes a programme that must be implemented without delay.

Willy Brandt is received by Cornelius Berkhouwer, President of the European Parliament.

Günther van Well, Director of Political Affairs in the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Republic of Germany’s representative on the Political Committee of the Member States of the European Communities, outlines the new priorities of Germany’s foreign policy and emphasises, in particular, the importance of European political cooperation for the organisation and development of relations between the European Communities and the United States.

Meeting in Copenhagen on 14 and 15 December 1973, the Heads of State or Government of the nine Member States of the enlarged European Community ‘declare their intention of converting their entire relationship into a European Union before the end of this decade.'

The Heads of State or Government of the Nine around the negotiating table during the Copenhagen European Summit (14-15 December 1973).

On 8 October 1970, Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Finance Minister, submits to the Council of Ministers and the European Commission his final report on the feasibility of economic and monetary union (EMU).

On 6 November 1970, in an address delivered to the Bundestag, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, describes the Werner Plan as a new Magna Carta for Europe.

At the consultation meeting between France and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) held on 24 and 25 January 1971, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, and the French President, Georges Pompidou, reach agreement, in particular, on a series of measures concerning the establishment of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Georges Pompidou, Willy Brandt, Rut Brandt and Claude Pompidou at the official dinner given on 26 January 1971 at the Élysée Palace during the consultation meeting between France and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

On 10 February 1971, Karl Schiller, German Minister for Economic Affairs, comments on the planned implementation of an economic and monetary union following the decisions taken the previous day in Brussels at the end of the Ecofin Council of the European Communities.

On 22 March 1971, following the deliberations of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) held on 8 and 9 February 1971, the Council and the representatives of the Member States adopt a resolution on the achievement by stages of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

On 10 February 1972, at the consultation meeting between France and Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, and the French President, Georges Pompidou, discuss, in particular, the establishment of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and economic relations between the European Communities and the United States.

On 21 March 1972, the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States of the European Communities adopt a resolution on the application of the Resolution of 22 March 1971 on the achievement by stages of economic and monetary union (EMU).

On 8 March 1973, in a letter sent to the British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, Willy Brandt emphasises the danger that the monetary crisis represents for the development of the European Communities. According to the Chancellor, the United Kingdom’s participation in the measures adopted, in particular the floating of the currencies against the dollar, is essential in order to overcome the crisis. In an effort to convince his British counterpart, Brandt hints at special guarantees for the United Kingdom in the event of the pound sterling’s participation in the monetary zone.

On 11 March 1973, Willy Brandt sends to Edward Heath a letter in which the German Chancellor outlines to the British Prime Minister his views on the United Kingdom’s participation in a common monetary policy.

On 12 March 1973, the Council of the European Communities lists the measures taken by the Nine in order to cope with the international monetary crisis.

On 3 April 1973, the Council adopts a Regulation establishing the European Monetary Cooperation Fund (EMCF). As Pierre Werner had envisaged in his ‘Report concerning the stage-by-stage implementation of economic and monetary union’, the EMCF was initially placed under the authority of the governors of the central banks and was later to be integrated into a Community of central banks organisation.

In his memoirs, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from 1969 to 1974, recalls the efforts made at Community level to find a solution to the monetary crisis which hit Europe and the United States in the early 1970s.