After the Second World War, with the gradual deterioration in relations between the Western Powers and Soviet Russia, there began a move for European integration. The chief objective was to strengthen the political, economic and social ties of Europe in the face of dispute and struggle between America and Russia. There were many reasons for this attempt of integration of the European states.
The first step towards economic integration of Europe was the Benelux Customs Convention of 1944. The Governments of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg agreed to set up the Benelux Customs Union. Under its terms, the tariff walls among the signatory states were abolished and free trade began. In the post-war Europe, it was the first attempt to bring about integration among the European states through trade and customs.
