At the end of 1992, things will never again be the same inside the
European Economic Community (EEC), because, as that year draws to a
close, the aims of the Single Act of European Union (SAEU), which became
law in July, this year, will have become effective - thus creating a
'real' Common Market. This will mean that there will no longer be any
obstacles to the free movement of goods between the Member States.
Equally, and for the first time in the EEC's history, internal capital
movements will be absolutely free, there will no longer be any exchange
controls and it will be possible to freely establish financial services
between EEC countries. Likewise, as currently being proposed by Lord
Cockfield, wide variations in the levels of value added tax (VAT)
between Member States will not be allowed. Also, in the case f the
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), it will no longer be possible (nor
even necessary) to have the monetary compensatory amounts (MCA's). All
these changes - but especially the increased freedom in capital
movements - will have profound consequences for the different regions of
the Community and it will be desirable to have a much more dynamic
Regional Policy before 1993. Last, but by no means least, a greater
number of decisions inside the Community will be made by majority voting
and the Parliament will be endowed with enhanced powers.