After a number of preliminary studies and drafts, a memorandum was submitted in March 1943, which outlined the steps needed to formalize the Confederation.[1] On April 5, 1943, Ribbentrop issued instructions for the establishment of a "European Committee" (German: Europa-Ausschuß) of 14 diplomats in the Foreign Ministry, which had the task of "the collection of material and the preparation of data to be used for the future settlement of the New European Order after the war has ended."[3]