The Monnet Plan was a proposal developed by French economist Jean Monnet in 1950 to promote European integration. It aimed to create a common market for coal and steel among six European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This cooperation was intended to prevent future conflicts in Europe by fostering economic interdependence. The plan led to the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951, which was the first step towards deeper economic and political integration in Europe. The success of the ECSC laid the groundwork for the later formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) and ultimately the European Union (EU).