Creation of a customs union: proposal of the Hague congress and its recent impact toward the integration of the European Union

Abstract

Since the early 1920s the idea of European integration has been a main question of debate among European intellectuals and policy makers. The concept could be drawn back to the middle ages. However, in this article is discussed period after the Second World War, specifically, main consequences of Hague Congress and its recent impulse toward the European Union integration. The Hague Congress which was held in 1948 proposed the creation of a European Assembly (later Council of Europe) and a customs and economic union (later European Coal and Steel Community). However, in the article will be avoided discussion about European Assembly, as it will be dedicated to the critical analyze of the issue of the customs and economic union.