This production will be offered to the world as a whole without distinction or exception, with the aim of contributing to raising living standards and to promoting peaceful achievements. The setting up of this powerful productive unit, open to all countries willing to take part and bound ultimately to provide all the member countries with the basic elements of industrial production on the same terms, will lay a true foundation for their economic unification. The solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible. The pooling of coal and steel production should immediately provide for the setting up of common foundations for economic development as a first step in the federation of Europe, and will change the destinies of those regions which have long been devoted to the manufacture of munitions of war, of which they have been the most constant victims.
It proposes that Franco-German production of coal and steel as a whole be placed under a common High Authority, within the framework of an organization open to the participation of the other countries of Europe. With this aim in view, the French Government proposes that action be taken immediately on one limited but decisive point. Any action taken must in the first place concern these two countries. The coming together of the nations of Europe requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. A united Europe was not achieved and we had war.Įurope will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan.
In taking upon herself for more than 20 years the role of champion of a united Europe, France has always had as her essential aim the service of peace. The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.
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