timeline 4.4 By tessablikman Jan 1, 1948 Benelux started collaboration between the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg 1949 democratic countries established the council of Europe 1949 The Federal Republic immediately had a democratic constitution 1950 France proposed to West Germany to bring the coal and steal under one common administration. 1951 the european steel and coal community was founded 1958 The European Economic Community was founded (EEC) 1973 Great Brittain, Ireland and Denmark joined the EEC 1981 Greece joined the EEC 1986 Spain and portugal joined the EEC