Page "History of Luxembourg" Paragraph 45

Encouraged by the contacts established with the Dutch and Belgian governments in exile, Luxembourg pursued a policy of presence in international organizations.

It was one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community ( ECSC ) in 1952 and of the European Economic Community ( EEC ) in 1957.

In the context of the Cold War, Luxembourg clearly opted for the West by joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) in 1949, thus renouncing its traditional neutrality, which had determined its international policy since the founding of the state.

Engagement in European construction was rarely questioned subsequently, either by politicians or by the greater population.

Despite its small proportions, Luxembourg often played an intermediary role between larger countries.

This role of mediator, especially between the two large and often bellicose nations of Germany and France, was considered one of the main characteristics of national identity, allowing the Luxembourger not to have to choose between one of these two neighbours.

The country also hosted a large number of European institutions such as the European Court of Justice.

Luxembourg ’ s small size no longer seemed to be a challenge to the existence of the country, and the creation of the Banque Centrale du Luxembourg ( 1998 ) and of the University of Luxembourg ( 2003 ) was evidence of the continuing desire to become a “ real ” nation.

The decision in 1985 to declare Lëtzebuergesch ( Luxembourgian ) the national language was also a step in the affirmation of the country ’ s independence.

In fact, the linguistic situation in Luxembourg was characterized by trilinguilism: Lëtzebuergesch was the spoken vernacular language, German the written language, in which Luxembourgers were most fluent, and French the language of official letters and law.