On 12 December 1980, Simone Veil, President of the European Parliament, gives her views at the Europa-Union Congress in Munich on the economic, social and budgetary difficulties facing the European Community. She raises various solutions and recommends amending administrative practices rather than reforming the institutions.

On 3 January 1981, Altiero Spinelli sends a letter to Simone Veil, President of the European Parliament. Spinelli discusses the views that Veil recently expressed on the state of the European Community, criticising these views for lacking commitment to institutional reform and instead asserting the position that he set out in his ‘crocodile’ letters.

From 24 to 26 May 1982, Altiero Spinelli annotates the European Parliament’s motion for a resolution to take into account as far as possible the amendments proposed by the members of the Institutional Committee.

On 21 June 1982, Altiero Spinelli, rapporteur and coordinator of the Institutional Committee, submits to the vote of the Members of the European Parliament on behalf of the Committee a motion for a resolution on the European Parliament guidelines concerning the reform of the treaties and the establishment of a European union. The explanatory statement is published separately.

On 6 July 1982, the Members of the European Parliament adopt a resolution on the European Parliament’s guidelines concerning the reform of the treaties and the creation of a European union by 258 votes to 37, with 21 abstentions. Inspired by the work of Altiero Spinelli, the resolution follows the decision of 9 July 1981 to launch a new political and legal process with a view to the establishment of a European union.