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The Treaty of Paris brought about the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) with members Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The ECSC's objective was to establish a common market for steal and coal that should bring prosperity. The common market prohibited discriminatory measures, subsidies, state aids or special charges imposed by states. It was a first step to European integration and established the precursors to many important European institutions that exist today:

• the High Authority, predecessor to the European Commission
• the Consultative Commitee, predecessor to today's European Economic and Social Committee
• the Council, predecessor of today’s Council of the European Union
  • it was made up by one representatives from each member state
  • the presidency rotated between the members every 3 months
  • the High Authority had to have its approval for important decisions
• the Assembly, predecessor of today’s European Parliament
• the Court of Justice, predecessor of today’s Court of Justice of the European Union

When the ECSC Treaty expired in 2002, rules on the coal and steel sectors were integrated in the treaties establishing the European Community, the Treaty of Rome.

Picture: EC Audiovisual Service

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