Mobility and European Integration

Abstract

Politicians, professionals and the foundation of the ECMT Christian Henrich-Franke University of Siegen 'T he coordination of transport systems is probably one of the fi elds in which, in the opinion of all those who have studied the rationalisation of European economy, it is easiest to advance rapidly and obtain tangible results.' 1 On 16 August 1950 Edouard Bonnefous, president of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the French National Assembly, used these words to launch a plan for the foundation of a supranational European transport organisation. Only three months earlier a new strategy to integrate Europe had been introduced in the form of the Schuman Plan, a plan to place Western European coal and steel industries under the joint management of a supranational authority and create a common European market for coal and steel. This was a sectoral approach, often referred to as the 'Monnet method'. 2 The idea was to create a united Europe gradually and not in one step. 3 The European states were to be shown their common interests and to be convinced to act in these interests, pursuing them on a permanent basis. Under the sectoral approach the integration process had to start with the foundation of European organisations in just one (economic) sector. Thus the issue of national sovereignty could be raised. A limited but real transfer of sovereignty to the European level, including a catalogue of competences, was to be the key element. Tangible achievements would then create de facto solidarity. The interdependence resulting from initial cooperation would gradually necessitate further supranational cooperation. Ultimately this approach would create an ever closer union among the European nation states. 4 In the case of mobility the sectoral approach failed. In October 1953, after three years of intensive debate, it resulted in the foundation of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) 5-an isolated project of the mobility sector loosely associated with the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC). The ECMT was not a suprana