Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the customs union, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2008, was one of the first stages of European integration.

Important stages of European integration were demanded by Europa-Union Deutschland at an early stage: direct election of the European Parliament, democratization of the European Community/Union, enlargement, introduction of the euro.

The 1963 cooperation treaty put the seal on postwar reconciliation between the historical enemies and gave birth to what has become known as the Paris-Bonn "axis," an alliance that has repeatedly set the agenda for new stages of European integration.

The leaders were speaking at daylong ceremonies in the French capital and at nearby Versailles recalling the signing in 1963 of the Élysée Treaty, which was meant to set the agenda for new stages of European integration.

Further, Jacques Delors, the president of the community's Brussels-based executive commission, who for the last five years has regularly provided the blueprints for new stages of European integration, is now finding his power undermined by governments suddenly reluctant to follow his lead.