A less known German politician - part 2 In 1954 he abandoned the idea of a political integration in Europe, due to the failure of European Defence Community, and he advocated an further integration in economic integration. The first step of this goal was the Messina Conference in 1955. When in 1958 the Treaties of Rome came into force, he became the first President of the European Commision. He realized the reality that a bigger and further unity in Europe would have been more difficult and less fast than he thought, but as President he gave him over this cause. He wanted the Commision and Parliament to be strong and not to subordinated to national governments. He had a federal view on Europe, unlike what French's President, Charles De Gaulle, thought. This test of strength (or tag-of-war) lasted until France withdrew all of its representatives from European institutions, the so-called 'Empty Chair Crisis' in 1965 for a short period. However it is also for his ability of persuasion, diplomatic skills that Europe has been what we know today.