Rey, Jean (1902-1983), a Belgian statesman, served as chief administrator of the European Community (now the European Union) from 1967, when it was established, until 1970. From 1958 to 1967, Rey had been in charge of the European Economic Community’s relations with nonmember countries.
Rey began his political career in 1935 as a city councilman in Liege, his birthplace. He represented Liege in Parliament in 1939 and from 1946 to 1958. Rey spent 1940 to 1945 as a prisoner of war in Germany. He became convinced that the only way to prevent future wars in Europe was by uniting the European countries. After the war, Rey urged adoption of international trade and work agreements. He served as Belgium’s minister of reconstruction from 1949 to 1950, and as minister of economic affairs from 1954 to 1958.
