Institutional strategies toward a political union include the Council, the Commission, the European parliament, and the Court of Justice as well as the EC budget and the future European central bank. The completion of the the internal markets is examined in relation to the EC's new approach to technical harmonization and standards, the opening of financial services and of public procurement markets, a general systems directive and free circulation of the liberal professions, and the personal rights of the EC citizen. Particular focus is placed on an analysis of the common agricultural policy and the European monetary system and regional and social policy as well as social protection, research and technology, environmental, education and training policies, and the development of a maritime policy. In addition, the relations of the EC with central and eastern European States as well as northern and southern States, Uruguay, and the United States are examined in relation to trade, political cooperation, defense, and security policy issues.