Walter Hallstein

Walter Hallstein was a German diplomat and legal scholar who played a key role in shaping the European Union. As the first President of the European Commission from 1958 to 1967, he worked to promote economic integration and political cooperation among European countries after World War II. His efforts helped establish a unified approach to trade, law, and development across Europe, laying the groundwork for today's European Union. Hallstein believed in creating a peaceful, prosperous Europe through collaboration and shared institutions.