European Coal and Steel Community

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European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), an international economic organization operating in the years 1951-2002. It was created on the basis of the Treaty of Paris, signed on April 18, 1951. six countries: Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and Italy. The draft treaty was presented on 9 May 1950 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France - Robert Schumann. It was based on transnational economic and political integration of Western European countries, with particular emphasis on joint coordination of coal and steel production.

Membership

Membership in the ECSC was integral to membership in the European Community (until 1992 in the European Economic Community) and membership in Euratom. The founding members were Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and Italy. In subsequent years, the following countries joined the ECSC: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom (from 1973), Greece (from 1981), Spain and Portugal (from 1986) and Austria, Finland and Sweden (since 1995).

History

Despite two lost wars, Germany was the economic power of the Old Continent. For fear of security, their economic recovery was the main goal of the post-war countries in post-war Europe. France was looking for a chance to revive the industry, but was afraid of the return of aggression from the German state. The idea of transnational cooperation emerged. The ECSC was created as a result of the speech of the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, with a declaration in which integration into joint coordination of coal and steel in the form of an international organization was proposed. It took place on 9 May 1950 and was directed to the governments of Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and Italy. The co-creator of the integration was Jean Monnet, who proposed a sectoral method aiming at the unification of Europe in the economic and political aspect. The Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community was signed on 18 April 1951 in Paris for 50 years. Ratification by the parliaments of the founding countries was necessary. The binding force of the treaty took place on July 25, 1952. The seat of the ECSC was Luxembourg. The beginning of 1953 created a common market for coal, iron and steel. The treaty expired in 2002. The competencies of the dismantled institution were taken over by the European Community.

Objectives

Works

  • ensuring constant supplies of coal and steel in the common market, complying with the needs of other countries
  • care for uniform access to production sources for each user of the common market
  • ensuring the lowest possible price for coal and steel, maintaining the rules of competition and normal conditions for interest on the capital invested
  • creating conditions encouraging entrepreneurs to increase production capacity, while maintaining rational use of raw materials
  • striving for the development of international exchange as well as modernization of production
  • striving to increase the level of living and working conditions of employees in every branch of production dependent on the Community.

Institutions

The main ECSC bodies were set up under the 7th article of the treaty establishing the organization.

  • High Authority - ECSC's main executive and executive body. The members were 9 people elected for 6 years who became international officers. Their duty was not to take actions that were contrary to the supranational nature of their position. The treaty made it impossible for members of the High Authority to conduct professional activities, both paid and free. This body implemented the treaty assumptions. In 1967, the governing bodies of the three European Communities were transformed into a Commission of the European Communities.
  • General Assembly - a parliamentary body composed of 78 delegates elected by the parliaments of member countries for a year. The allocation of seats on the basis of the 21st article was as follows: France, Germany, Italy for 18 members, Belgium and the Netherlands for 10 members, Luxembourg - 4 members. This body performed advisory functions. After 1958, the Roman treaties transformed this institution into a European Parliamentary Assembly.
  • Council of Ministers - a decision-making body. It was created at the request of the Benelux states, which aimed at weakening the powers of the management body, as well as harmonizing the activities undertaken by it. In the most important matters, the High Authority could make decisions only with the consent of the Council of Ministers. After 1957, this body was replaced by the Council of the European Communities.
  • Court of Justice - a judicial body with competence of a constitutional tribunal. In 1957, this institution took over the jurisdiction of three Communities.

Advantages of European Coal and Steel Community

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) offered numerous advantages to the participating countries. These included:

  • Increased economic unity between the countries of Western Europe, allowing them to better collaborate on coal and steel production. This resulted in increased efficiency, as well as greater economic stability and growth.
  • The ECSC provided a forum for countries to address cross-border issues, as well as opportunities for diplomatic dialogue. This was important for promoting peace and understanding between countries that had been at war for much of the 20th century.
  • The Treaty of Paris also helped to reduce tariffs and restrictions on trade, which resulted in greater economic integration of the participating countries. This allowed for more efficient production, as well as cheaper and more efficient transportation of goods.
  • The ECSC provided a framework for the development of a common market, which further promoted economic cooperation and integration. This allowed for the free movement of people, goods, and services, as well as increased competition and specialization.
  • Finally, the ECSC helped to promote democracy and human rights in the participating countries. This was important in preventing future conflict, as well as creating a more just and equitable society.

Limitations of European Coal and Steel Community

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) had numerous limitations which hindered its full potential. These included:

  • Limited scope of activities - The ECSC was limited to producing, distributing, and regulating coal and steel, which limited its ability to tackle other problems such as economic development, environmental protection, and security.
  • Limited resources - The ECSC was only able to operate with limited resources, making it difficult to achieve its objectives.
  • Limited access to markets - The ECSC was not able to access global markets, limiting the potential of its activities.
  • Lack of authority to enforce regulations - The ECSC lacked the authority to enforce its regulations, making it difficult to ensure compliance.
  • Limited membership - The limited membership of the ECSC restricted its ability to affect change on a wider scale.
  • Lack of political will - The ECSC lacked the political will to push through difficult reforms, making it difficult to make progress.


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References

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