The Luxembourg foreign minister Joseph Bech, was a firm believer in bringing neighbouring countries together in economic and political partnerships such as the European Coal and Steel Community. He had already been instrumental in creating the Benelux Customs Union between the exiled governments of Luxembourg – in which he served – Belgium, and the Netherlands in 1944.
The great idea of a united Europe – but recently still considered as utopian – today emerges from the realm of aspiration into the phase of practical realisation.
Life and times
Aside from preventing another devastating conflict like the Second World War, Bech also saw the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community as an opportunity for his small country to make its mark in a new Europe. He also believed, as many politicians did at the time, that close relationships and binding ties would keep Europe from tearing itself apart again.
A vision for Europe
In June 1955, Joseph Bech chaired the Messina Conference which later led to the Treaty of Rome, forming the European Economic Community, the forerunner of today’s European Union. This Conference focused on a memorandum submitted by the three Benelux countries, including Bech as Luxembourg’s representative.
Joseph Bech, speaking in Strasbourg in 1968
Joseph Bech, speaking in Strasbourg in 1968
Why did we really launch the European project after the Second World War? Because we thought it imperative to build a new Europe, one in which France and Germany could be reconciled.
And we find that at least in this area – which was a key area, since peace in Europe depends on it – we created the idea of a united Europe, the embodiment of the struggle for a united Europe.