UN General Assembly
1971

207. First, the Europe of the six, and soon of the 10, united countries must become itself, that is, it must acquire a power commensurate with its responsibilities. It is the ambition of the constituent States to organize among themselves a new and original form of co-operation as regards both institutional structures and the aims pursued. 208. Europe, of course, already appears as a major economic and commercial power. But consideration of world realities leads it to intensify and expedite the process of its political unification. The United States, which has done so much to help Europe to find its way, is readjusting its position. China, as we have said, is anxious to put forward its position. All this obliges Europe to determine and to play its role on the world stage. What role? Mr. Schumann put it very well the other day: "... refusing to accept any kind of hegemony is the best contribution a country can make to the birth of a truly international community" [1942nd meeting, para. 37].