Joseph Bech

A fervent advocate of cooperation between neighboring countries through economic and political partnerships, such as the European Coal and Steel Community. Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Joseph Bech played a crucial role in establishing the Benelux customs union between the exiled governments of Luxembourg—of which he was a member—Belgium, and the Netherlands in 1944.
Besides preventing another catastrophic conflict like World War II, Bech also believed that the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community was an opportunity for his small country to make its mark on a new Europe. He also believed, like many other politicians of his time, that close relationships and cohesive bonds would prevent Europe from becoming divided again.
In June 1955, Joseph Bech presided over the Messina Conference, which resulted in the Treaty of Rome, establishing the European Economic Community, the precursor to today’s European Union. This conference focused on a memorandum submitted by the three Benelux countries, including Bech as the representative of Luxembourg.