Economy was the tool of the process
of integration of European States but its aim was peace after
two world wars and the many conflicts that preceded them,
President Sergio Mattarella said on Wednesday during the course
of a lectio magistralis at the University of Messina, in Sicily.
"The process of institutional integration between European
States started - as is known - on July 23 1952 with the Treaty
creating the European Coal and Steel Community, signed in Paris
on April 18 1951 by six countries - Belgium, France, Germany,
Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands", recalled the president.
"Economy was the tool but the objective of the Treaty was peace,
a solid and long-lasting peace after the tragedy of the many
previous conflicts", noted Mattarella at the inauguration of the
academic year in Messina.
"The project widened but the objective remained the same:
starting an era of peace and of well-being based on the
cooperation between States and on the friendship between
European populations", said the head of State.
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