In March 1957 Maurice Faure was the youngest signatory to the Treaty of Rome, which led to the creation of the European Union. The Frenchman takes us back in time.

Interview: The last remaining witness

At 34 years old you were the youngest  signatory to the Treaty of Rome.

Now you are the last remaining witness to  this key moment in European history.

Mr Faure, what was the background to  the signing of the Treaty of Rome

on the 25 March 1957,  12 years after the end of WW2?

The concept of  a European project evolved

but the ECSC showed that  it held promise from the outset.

By pooling coal and steel production,  the ECSC controlled

two of the materials  that were needed for warfare.

The ECSC also brought France and  Germany into partnership,

which prevented any future possibility  to wage war.

Shortly before the Treaty,  there was a failed attempt to set up

The EDC was  an entirely different matter.

In reality the problem was  German rearmament

France had tried to find a system  in which Germany could participate,

which covered arms  and western defence needs

and which would mean  giving up her sovereignty.

Firstly there was the language barrier,  which was a real problem.

Secondly,  the use of French in Germany...

It was too soon after  the last world war.

It was difficult to accept  such things.

In 1957 you were one of those who laid  the foundation stones for Europe.

What was your vision of Europe  at that time?

a supporter of the authority of Europe  over the Member States.

You said that France should transfer  its diplomatic and economic powers.

But it was understood  that it was just the beginning.

There were phases in the process  that could not be bypassed

in relation to the political future  of the Europe we imagined.

Firstly, there would have to be  a shared currency,

once a common foreign policy  was in place.

So you can see that some 50 years on  we've achieved none of this.

the UK's Ashton seems to want  to get things moving

but she's only been in office for a few  months, so I can't say anything...

and soon there will be  29 or 30 countries.

The Europe that we had  with six countries

You wanted to create a Europe  based on social values.

Today we've gone from the  Treaty of Rome to the Treaty of Lisbon

what changes has Europe undergone  over this period of time?

It's no longer Europe.  It's a confederation of states.

Things haven't progressed much  in that sense

and neither has the content of  the agreements reached.

On 25 March 1957,  you were only 34 years old.

You signed the Treaty of Rome,  alongside some great political figures.

but he understood that he had  to support the French position.

This meant that he accepted  the prevailing French viewpoint

He strived to do this in memory of  - which is a reminder to us -

the sacrifices that the Germans  imposed on the French

and the other countries  during the war.

At 34 you were the youngest person  by far sat at that table.

Today you are the sole remaining witness  to this historic occasion for Europe,

what message would you pass on  to future generations?

That they should hold on to  the spirit that we had.

This spirit was  the antithesis of selfishness.

The older Member States  should pass on more wealth

to the poorer states  from Eastern Europe,

In this way Europe we imagined  would progressively become a reality.

For the time being,  Europe isn't there yet.

It's a hopeless dream,  but I wish it with all my heart.