February
15
A meeting in view of the creation of the European Community of Defence is held in Paris, France. Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and Germany attend the meeting alongside six observer countries (USA, Canada, Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands).
April
18
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Paris establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
December
10
Paul-Henri Spaak steps down from the Presidency of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe in protest to the lukewarm attitude of the United Kingdom towards Europe.