The Voorganger van de EU, which translates to “predecessor of the EU” in English, is a term used to refer to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). Established in 1951, the ECSC was created by the Treaty of Paris as a way to pool the coal and steel resources of six European countries – Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany – in order to prevent another war on the continent.
The ECSC was the first step towards European integration and cooperation, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become the European Union. It had its own institutions, including a High Authority to oversee the common market for coal and steel, a Council of Ministers representing the member states, and a Common Assembly made up of representatives from national parliaments.
One of the key principles of the ECSC was the idea of supranationalism, where decisions were made at the European level rather than by individual member states. This was a radical departure from the traditional system of intergovernmental cooperation, and laid the foundation for the future development of the EU.
The ECSC was successful in achieving its goals of promoting economic cooperation and preventing conflict between its member states. It helped to rebuild Europe’s industrial base after World War II, and fostered a sense of unity and solidarity among its members.
In 1957, the Treaty of Rome was signed, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). These three organizations – the ECSC, the EEC, and Euratom – together formed the basis of the modern European Union.
While the ECSC no longer exists as a separate entity, its legacy lives on in the form of the EU. The principles of cooperation, integration, and supranationalism that were established by the ECSC continue to shape the EU’s policies and institutions to this day. The Voorganger van de EU may have been a precursor to the EU, but its impact on European history and politics is still felt today.