Robert Schuman

Robert Schuman was a French statesman and one of the founding figures of European integration. Born in 1886 in Luxembourg, he served as France's Foreign Minister after World War II. In 1950, he proposed the Schuman Plan, which aimed to unify the coal and steel industries of France and Germany, effectively fostering cooperation to prevent future conflicts. This initiative laid the groundwork for what eventually became the European Union. Schuman is often celebrated for his vision of a united Europe, emphasizing peace, stability, and economic collaboration among nations. His legacy is influential in contemporary European politics.