EUROPA - European integration - France 30.4.2006

European integration is the process of industrial, political, legal, economic, social and cultural integration of states wholly or partially in Europe. European integration has primarily come about through the European Union and its policies.

One of the first to conceive of a union of European nations was Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi,who wrote the Pan-Europa manifesto in 1923.  His ideas influenced Aristide Briand, who gave a speech in favour of a European Union in the League of Nations on 8 September 1929, and who in 1930 wrote a "Memorandum on the Organization of a Regime of European Federal Union" for the Government of France, which became the first European government formally to adopt the principle. 

“We must build a kind of United States of Europe. In this way only, will hundreds of millions of toilers be able to regain the simple joys and hopes which make life worth living” - Winston Churchill.

Association Agreement between Greece and the EEC 9.12.1991

Greece's European orientation predates the linking of the country's course to its accession to the European Community / Union.  However, the orientation became concrete upon submission of the application for accession to the newly established European Economic Community in June 1959, an application that led to the Association Agreement between Greece and the EEC, signed in June 1961.  This Agreement, which in fact constituted the first step towards Greece's integration into the European Community, "froze" following the imposition of dictatorship in Greece (April 1967) and was re-activated after democracy was restored (July 1974).
The (50) stamp depicts the signing of the document to join the EU. The (80) stamp depicts thinking of the vision for the future,

"Principles and Values Of The European Union" 9.5.2016

The European Parliament Office in Cyprus, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Cyprus Post, in cooperation with the  Philatelic Advisory Committee, launched a competition among 2nd Lyceum pupils entitled "Stamp Art: the EU and Cyprus All Around the World!".
The main aim is to promote the European identity and the principles and values ​​on which the Union is founded, including the wider knowledge and awareness among young people of the diverse benefits of philately.
The four best designs to emerge from the competition were selected and depicted on the stamps in this series and on the First Day Cover.  

Thank you Merja. But, I am not very sure that there is any such thing called EU Identity. The last few months have surely disproved any such fanciful ideas.

Accession of Greece to the European Community / Union 28.5.1979

The stamps on this fdc depict:

(7) Greece’s entry into European Economic Community and Parliament: Wheat with Members’ Flags and ancient Greek coins.

(30) European Parliament.

Greece's European orientation predates the linking of the country's course to its accession to the European Community / Union.  However, the orientation became concrete upon submission of the application for accession to the newly established European Economic Community in June 1959, an application that led to the Association Agreement between Greece and the EEC, signed in June 1961.  This Agreement, which in fact constituted the first step towards Greece's integration into the European Community, "froze" following the imposition of dictatorship in Greece (April 1967) and was re-activated after democracy was restored (July 1974).

The Greek Government and Constantinos Caramanlis in particular, aimed at integrating the country into the European Union as a full member.  Indeed, the application for full accession was submitted on July 12, 1975, by means of a letter addressed to the President at that time of the European Union Ministerial Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland,  G. Fitzgerald

Presidency of the EU 1.7.2012

This card sent by Merja to me commemorates Cyprus taking over the Presidency of the EU for the second half of 2012.

Many have questioned the effectiveness of this system of half-yearly Presidency. To me it seems totally meaningless.

25th Anniv. of EFTA - European Free Trade Association 2.2.1985

The European Free Trade Association or EFTA is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates parallel to, and is linked to, the European  Union (EU). EFTA was established on
3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable to, or chose not to, join the then-European Economic Community (EEC) which has now become the EU. The Stockholm Convention, establishing EFTA, was signed on 4 January 1960 in Stockholm by seven
countries.
Today's EFTA members are Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland—the latter two being founding members. The initial Stockholm Convention was superseded by the Vaduz Convention, which provides for the liberalisation of trade among the member states.
Designer of the stamp and cover was Paavo Huovinen. The stamp was issued on 2.2.1985. This FDC was sent to me by my dear friend Pia.