March 25, 1957: The Treaty of Rome was signed by six countries: Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany, Italy, and France represented by Konrad Adenauer and Walter Hallstein for West Germany, Paul-Henri Spaak and Jean-Charles Snoy et d’Oppuers for Belgium, Christian Pineau and Maurice Faure for France, Antonio Segni and Gaetano Martino for Italy, Joseph Bech and Lambert Schaus for Luxembourg, and Joseph Luns and Johannes Linthorst Homan for the Netherlands. This event marked the foundation of the European Economic Community (EEC). Jean Monnet played a crucial role in the design of the treaty as well as Robert Schuman, who is considered the father of the Treaty of Rome (see his speech of May 9, 1950). After the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, it became the Treaty Establishing the European Community. Extract from the historical account of March 25, 1957, found on the Treaty of Rome’s website: “A funny anecdote: on the day of signing, the final layout of the text was not ready, so ministers and heads of delegation signed a bundle of blank sheets! Fortunately, by the time of the sealing, which marks the official adoption of the Treaties, everything was in order.”
Fifty years almost to the day later, the French presidential elections overshadowed the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Europe. During this commemoration, the European Parliament had called for projects aimed at providing relevant information to community nationals about the particular role played by the European Parliament, to arouse more public interest, and to stimulate participation in the debate. Nice and Strasbourg were candidate cities. As a result, for two days (March 21 and 22), conferences were held at Acropolis in Nice as well as exhibitions on Konrad Adenauer, Robert Schuman, and the history of Europe.
On Tuesday afternoon, Acropolis’s Hermès space was far from full. The speakers were not to blame. They were competent, interesting, and understandable to everyone:
Jean-Dominique GIULIANI, President of the Robert Schuman Foundation, Blandine PELLISTRANDI, Director of the European Commission Representation in Marseille, Marc THOUMELOU, Senate Administrator, Christian BIDEGARAY, Professor of Political Science at the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis. There was much to learn about the functioning of the European Parliament and the National Assembly and Senate in relation to the European institutions. The morning had seen equally enriching conferences on Europe. On Thursday, animations on the theme “Dare Europe” followed by conferences on the future of Europe will conclude the festivities.
These discreet and not festive enough celebrations unfortunately prove, after the “no” in the referendum, that the French have difficulty engaging and igniting enthusiasm for Europe. Debates about Europe or demonstrations for many resemble a migraine. When it is discussed, it causes a headache, and there is a rush to move past it as quickly as possible. There is a need to reflect on the causes of this disinterest and how to remedy it. Perhaps by remembering Robert Schuman’s speech, considered one of the great speeches in contemporary history.
Link: [https://www.traitederome.fr/](https://www.traitederome.fr/)
