Plans for a European Union
Plans for a European Union
Many political leaders considered that enlargement of the Community from nine to twelve Member States also required a strengthening of European institutions. The Community needed structures that were both more effective and more democratic. Common policies had to be reinforced and better coordinated. European Political Cooperation (EPC) had to become effective.
The various plans put forward in the late 1970s and early 1980s by the European Parliament, the Commission and by some Member States were unanimous in calling for a significant reform of the operating rules. These various plans were, in full or in part, enshrined in the Single European Act (SEA) adopted in February 1986.