When the organisation was a free trade and investment body, the European Common Market, it was of great benefit to its member states in terms of streamlining the flow of goods, services and capital across borders among economies of scale. Since the end of the Cold War it has morphed into a hydra quite out of touch with the individual state needs and peculiarities of its membership. As an organisation it has very much overreached itself into the day to day political sphere of European life and requires a complete overhaul which, if necessary, will require redefined mission and mandate for its continuance and future viability.