At the Congress of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), held in Hamburg from 21 to 25 May 1950, Kurt Schumacher, Leader of the SDP, declares that he is against the accession of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to the Council of Europe. With regard to the Declaration made by Robert Schuman on 9 May, Schumacher welcomes the proposal from the French Foreign Minister but states that the action to be taken on this plan remains uncertain.

At its Congress, held in Hamburg from 21 to 25 May 1950, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) discusses, in particular, the issue of the Federal Republic of Germany's accession to the Council of Europe. While the party leadership is against accession, Willy Brandt, Member of the Bundestag for Berlin, declares his support for accession, despite some reservations.

On 19 January 1959, during a debate in the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on the situation of Berlin, Willy Brandt, Mayor of Berlin, gives his views on the city’s status.

On 5 May 1969, on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Statute of the Council of Europe, Willy Brandt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and Chairman-in-Office of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, gives a lukewarm assessment of the development of European integration over the past 20 years and outlines new strategies to be pursued with a view to the establishment of a European peace plan.

In 1949, Willy Brandt takes a critical look at the beginnings of the first European movements and outlines, in particular, the scope of the European idea in Germany.

On 10 May 1950, in an article published in the Berliner Stadtblatt on the day after the Schuman Declaration, Willy Brandt criticises the Federal Government’s policy on the accession of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to the Council of Europe and comments on the proposal made by the French Foreign Minister.

On 3 December 1952, Willy Brandt submits to the Bundestag a detailed analysis concerning the political importance of the Treaty establishing a European Defence Community (EDC).

In February 1953, Willy Brandt, MP for the Land Berlin in the Bundestag, challenges the view that the defence of Europe would be guaranteed solely by the Treaty establishing the European Defence Community (EDC). Brandt discusses alternative ways to ensure the security of the continent in a broader framework.

On 29 October 1959, in Brussels, Willy Brandt, current Mayor of Berlin, and Walter Hallstein, President of the Commission of the European Economic Community, emphasise the European dimension of the City of Berlin.

On 14 March 1961, Willy Brandt, Mayor of West Berlin, meets Jean Monnet, President of the Action Committee for the United States of Europe (ACUSE), during his visit to the United States of America.

Willy Brandt, Mayor of West Berlin, and Walter Hallstein, President of the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC), at a meeting in Berlin on 21 October 1963.

On 11 June 1964, Willy Brandt, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Mayor of West Berlin, informs the general meeting of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) about the key elements of the Federal Republic of Germany’s foreign policy. In particular, he calls on Germany to show greater political will in international and European relations and advocates the consolidation of the European Communities in a pragmatic manner.

On 9 May 1970, the 20th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), underlines the historic significance of the proposal made by the French Foreign Minister and emphasises the obligation and the need to continue his work.

At the German Social Democratic Party (SDP) Congress, held from 29 June to 2 July 1947, the SDP adopts a resolution which defines social justice as the basic principle for the reconstruction of Germany in a new Europe.

On 29 June 1947, in a long address delivered at the party conference of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Kurt Schumacher, Chairman of the Party, outlines his vision of Germany’s role in the reorganisation of postwar Europe.

At the Congress of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), held in Düsseldorf from 11 to 14 September 1948, Willy Brandt recommends practical solutions to the issues relating to European cooperation and emphasises the importance of Franco-German rapprochement.

Willy Brandt and Alfred Nau at the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) Congress held from 11 to 14 September 1948 in Düsseldorf.

On 8 May 1949, in an address delivered at the Congress of the Berlin Section of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Willy Brandt emphasises the Party’s long-standing commitment to the establishment of a United States of Europe. He warns against any development of economic cooperation between the countries of Western Europe without the involvement of the peoples of Eastern Europe.

Willy Brandt and Erich Ollenhauer, Chairman of the German Social Democratic Party (SDP), in February 1954.

At the Congress of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), held in Berlin from 20 to 24 July 1954, Erich Ollenhauer, pleader of the SPD, delivers an address in which he emphasises the connection between German unity and European unification.

At its Congress held in Bad Godesberg from 13 to 15 November 1959, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) adopts its manifesto. In terms of European policy, the Party is in favour of European integration with a view to the promotion of economic and social progress.

Willy Brandt at the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) Congress in Bad Godesburg on 14 November 1959.

The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) joins the Action Committee for a United States of Europe (ACUSE) as soon as it is established in October 1955. Willy Brandt (right), who became leader of the SPD in 1964, and Jean Monnet (standing), founder of ACUSE, at the 12th session of the Committee, held on 8 and 9 May 1965 in Berlin.

Willy Brandt, Chairman of the German Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Carlo Schmid, member of the SDP’s Executive Committee, at a meeting on 14 June 1966.

In this interview, Egon Bahr, former journalist and editor-in-chief of Radio in the American Sector (RIAS) as well as member of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) since 1956, discusses the divisions within the SPD concerning the European integration process until the 1961 nomination of Willy Brandt as Social Democratic candidate for the post of Federal Chancellor.

Willy Brandt, Mayor of West Berlin, during a demonstration against the construction of the Berlin Wall on 16 August 1961 on the Rudolph-Wilde-Platz.