Editorial

Abstract

A glance at the title and contents should make the aims and policy of this review sufficiently clear. Pride of place is rightly given to an article by Professor Hallstein, President of the European Movement and formerly of the EEC Commission: his views may well be considered as our manifesto. As a matter of fact we believe that political unity is the only way to ensure permanent peace, prosperity and independence for our Continent. The foundations of a politically united Europe were laid with the institution of the European Economic Community which is indeed a historic achievement and, despite setbacks, is doing tolerably well. The recent and present crises, due to the problems of internal development and geographical expansion, should not overshadow other important achievements, such as the merger of the three Communities under a single Commission in July 1967, and the adoption of a customs union and the Kennedy Round in July this year. European unity is, if gradually, in the making. To rejoice over this is not being visionaries or utopians: to pooh-pooh the idea of European unity in the name of realism is being defeatists or - as Hallstein says - stupid.